One out of every three pieces of automotive glass globally comes from China's Fuyao group. Focusing on one field and deeply cultivating one market, Cao Dewang, Chairman of the Board of Fuyao Group, has led his employees to "perfect a single piece of glass." In recent years, he has also invested significant funds, time, and energy into establishing Fuyao University of Science and Technology（FYUST）.

Regarding recent topics of public discussion, our reporter interviewed Cho Tak Wong to elaborate his original intention for founding the university, as well as his views on the transformation, upgrading of traditional manufacturing and the high-quality development of the private economy.

------Editor's Note

"Hoping to Cultivate Talents Beneficial to the Country, Society, and People"

Q: In September this year, FYUST welcomed its first cohort of undergraduate students. Why did you decide to establish a non-profit private university? What was your original intention and expectation?

A: China already has three to four thousand universities. Adding another similar one isn't particularly meaningful. My purpose in establishing this university is not for fame or profit, nor is it to create an ordinary institution. I am approaching this with the highly responsible spirit of an entrepreneur. I believe education is a career, not an industry. I hope to cultivate talents who are beneficial to the country, society, and people.

Q: How much capital have you invested in total? How much has the government invested?

A: I publicly announced a donation of 10 billion RMB. By August 31st this year, approximately 4.3 billion RMB had been spent. The government provided the campus land free of charge and will provide annual funding support. Additionally, there have been over 100 million RMB in social donations. Currently, the university's daily operational expenses are covered by the He Ren Charity Foundation, which will eventually fulfill the total 10 billion RMB donation.

Q: What is the operational model of FYUST?

A: After the university was built, we handed it over to President Wang Shuguo. The smartest choice I made was not building the school myself, but rather letting professionals do their specialized work. I have granted President Wang full authority, and he leads the team responsible for admissions, teaching, management, and other tasks.

Q: We see the campus environment is beautiful and quite large. Why are only 50 students enrolled this year?

A: The designed capacity of the campus is 16,000 students. Enrolling only 50 students this year was proposed by the university committee. I believe this is correct, as it ensures responsibility towards high-quality cultivation. FYUST is a non-profit university; it does not rely on student enrollment for revenue. The tuition fee is 5,600 RMB per person per year.

At FYUST, students receive general education in their first two years, followed by professional education in their third and fourth years. During admissions, students are enrolled under the Smart Manufacturing Engineering major. In the second semester of their sophomore year, students begin selecting their specific majors based on their interests and career plans. Options include Smart Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Vehicle Engineering, and Computer Science and Technology. The teaching faculty follows a dual-system: there are teachers responsible for theoretical training, and entrepreneurs are also invited to teach. Furthermore, many enterprises provide internship opportunities. Many well-known domestic companies have expressed willingness to assist graduates with employment if needed.

I do not want students to spend all their time in classrooms; they should engage more with society. I hope that after learning the foundational knowledge at FYUST, they can go out and make their mark on the world.

Q: So, you mean these freshmen already have secured career paths?

A: Certainly. Although these students are cultivated for the whole society, if all 50 students wanted to join Fuyao group, we would accept them all. However, we will respect the students' own wishes. We are cultivating these first 50 students as if they were our own children. We tell the students that everything depends on your own self-reliance, self-improvement, and self-respect.

Q: What do you think a qualified university student should be like?

A: First, one must be clear about how to conduct oneself as a person. Handling tasks is easy; if you cannot do something, you can ask for help or hire someone. If one's personal conduct is not clear, nothing else matters.

Second, one must study diligently and practice assiduously; there is no gain without pain. If I try to give you something, but you do not reach out to take it, it remains in my hand. No matter how much I teach, it is useless. Therefore, students must respect their teachers, consult them frequently, and persistently ask questions until they fully understand.

Cho Tak Wong (Left) Being Interviewed by a Reporter from People’s Daily

"Traditional Industries Must Actively Embrace New Technologies and Proactively Improve Themselves"

Q: Fuyao Group has grown into the world's largest automotive glass manufacturer. What do you think is the most critical factor?

A: To maintain long-term leadership, one must embrace science, actively engage in R&D, promote the launch of new products, and achieve rapid product iteration. This is also the key to Fuyao Group's success.

Q: How do you view the changes brought by new technologies to traditional industries?

A: Automotive glass manufacturing is a traditional industry that meets market demand. As an entrepreneur, serving society is inherently my duty.

Big data, the Internet, the Internet of Things, and Artificial Intelligence are tools. Traditional industries must actively embrace new technologies and proactively improve themselves. I use these technologies to reduce costs and enhance production management efficiency, rather than diverging from my core business to "make the tools."

Q: How is Fuyao Group performing in this aspect?

A: This is exactly what we do; we focus solely on automotive glass. In the manufacturing process, we also utilize automated internet technologies and AI technologies, applying them as tools.

Q: You have been making automotive glass for decades without wavering. Have you ever had doubts?

A: Never. When I started making automotive glass, all automotive glass in China was imported. I started making automotive glass precisely because I found the imported ones expensive and inconvenient, which troubled me greatly.

Now, Fuyao Group ranks first globally in terms of benefits, output, and technology. Our profitability is also quite good. All these are achieved through our hard work.

Q: During Fuyao Group's development, did you ever encounter "involution-style competition"?

A: Regarding "involution," we always avoid and circumvent it. We do not engage in that competition; instead, we focus on doing our main business well and strengthening it. We do not chase whatever seems profitable quickly; we uphold a spirit of professionalism with a high sense of responsibility towards society. Only by being good for others and good for the industry can we ourselves do well.

Regarding "involution-style competition," I believe the state should intervene. Otherwise, resources are consumed, production capacity is not utilized effectively, and ultimately, it is the national interest that suffers.

Q: What is your view on the future of China's private enterprises?

A: The future is certainly prosperous and bright. In recent years, although domestic private enterprises have developed, there is still room for further improvement. The growth of a nation and its people is like the growth of a child. From learning to cry and crawl, to standing up, walking, and running, and finally to growing up, one inevitably falls countless times. Encountering difficulties and bottlenecks in the short term is inevitable and temporary.

Q: Fuyao Group has many factories overseas. Regarding Chinese companies going global, what are your insights?

A: If we can make money, of course, we will go global. If we cannot make money, we certainly will not go.

Currently, uncertain factors in the international situation are increasing. Chinese enterprises must be sufficiently strong themselves before going global. The core lies in strengthening their own capabilities.

Q: What advice do you have for university students considering starting their own businesses?

A: I have said before that I oppose university students starting businesses immediately after graduation. University students lack practical experience; they should first learn practical operational skills. Afterwards, they can decide based on their expertise and personal circumstances. If their family can provide the initial capital for starting a business, young people can venture into entrepreneurship, but they must think clearly whether they can afford the potential losses and withstand losing all the investment.

Young people starting businesses should first figure out what they want to do, what they can do, why they want to do it, and what qualifies them to do it. Only after thorough research should they proceed. They should not start a business blindly based solely on momentary impulse.

Cho Tak Wong Being Interviewed by a Reporter from People’s Daily

"Being an Entrepreneur Means Dedication; One Must First Establish Virtue, Then Achieve Merit"

Q: What qualities should entrepreneurs possess in the new era?

A: My understanding is that entrepreneurs share many similarities with the "shi" (advisor/mandarin) piece in Chinese chess. The top "horizontal stroke" represents a broad knowledge base. The middle "vertical stroke" represents solid professional expertise and a deep understanding of one's field. The bottom "short horizontal stroke" represents character, vision, and comprehensive quality.

Being an entrepreneur means dedication. One must first establish virtue, then achieve merit; one should not be a "nouveau riche tycoon." Private entrepreneurs should have ambition, responsibility, broad-mindedness, and vision. A true entrepreneur must accomplish three things: the country becomes stronger because of you, society progresses because of you, and the people become more prosperous because of you. In the new era, every entrepreneur should have such aspirations.

This is not empty talk or grandiose statements. If one deviates from these three principles, the enterprise will not succeed. Just imagine, if what the enterprise does or produces is not needed by the country, society, or the people, of course, it cannot be sold, leaving only the path to bankruptcy.

Q: Over all these years, why have you persistently engaged in charitable endeavors?

A: My ultimate goal in doing charity is to promote harmonious and stable social development. Engaging in charity cultivates one's compassion and inner beauty.

It pains anyone to part with money. I describe it as cutting one's own flesh—it depends on how long you can endure it and whether it hurts. Being able to donate money makes me very happy. So far, the area where I have donated the most is still education.

Q: There are voices online saying that while you are generous in charity, you are relatively strict with employees. How do you view these comments?

A: Charity uses my personal money, not the company's funds. From the company's perspective, it must also cultivate its own competitiveness. Fuyao Group has 40,000 employees, with a monthly average wage of around 10,000 RMB. Our strategy is to offer wages slightly above the industry average, but not excessively so. We need to maintain competitiveness while also managing risks. An entrepreneur's venture is inherently risky; we face risks every day. If all profits were distributed or used for benefits, it would neither help withstand risks nor satisfy shareholders.

Furthermore, Fuyao Group has implemented measures to provide financial aid to employees in difficulty. The group also provides assistance when an employee's immediate family member suffers from a serious illness.

Much online information is taken out of context, lacking complete background, and pieced together arbitrarily. People can say whatever they please; I do not pay attention to it.

Q: How do you understand the "close and clean government-business relationship"?

A: It is essential to achieve "closeness with boundaries" and "cleanliness with effectiveness." Various policies and regulations must be clear. The "government" must exercise self-discipline, be clear about its responsibilities and identity, and its words and deeds must set an example. The "business" must operate in accordance with the law, must not engage in corrupting officials, nor should they accept unreasonable demands.

Fuyao Group has investments in 18 provinces. When convening meetings with subsidiaries, we often emphasize the need to fully respect local Party committees and governments, and refrain from offering gifts or banquets. Only by doing so can we truly achieve both "closeness" and "cleanliness."

Source: People’s Daily