China’s Tech Honchos Put on Their Politician Hats

Tech bigwigs have political sway in many countries, but rarely can they be badge-carrying politicians while running their companies.

China, as always, is different. The heads of some of China’s largest tech firms double as members of the country’s parliament, the National People’s Congress, and its advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Granted, both largely exist to legitimize policies already decided upon by the Communist Party, but the members do have a platform to lobby for changes to the country’s law.

The chief executives of Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi, computer company Lenovo Group LNVGY +1.06% and Internet giants Tencent Holdings TCEHY -1.41% and Baidu have been doing exactly that this week. With red delegate badges pinned to their suit jackets, they attended China’s annual “two meetings,” the largest political event of the year, and proposed initiatives to help out domestic tech firms.

Xiaomi’s chief executive, Lei Jun, is a congressional delegate. He held a press conference on Friday to announce two proposals. One was for China to create a standard for smart home appliances, so different brands would be interconnectable. Another was to streamline China’s corporations law to make it easier for startups to register.

“China’s corporations law is long overdue for reform,” said Mr. Lei. He added that he wasn’t making these proposals for Xiaomi’s own benefit, but to “do some work for the country.”

Baidu Chairman Robin Li weighed in a few days before. He proposed a “China Brain” national project to spur artificial intelligence technology development for both national defense and business uses. He also urged the government to remove restrictions on hospital online appointment registration to make it easier for patients to set up appointments online.

Of course, these proposals won’t necessarily become law. But they do show some of the areas that tech executives feel need reform. They also demonstrate the tight ties between business and politics in China.

China’s Tech Honchos Put on Their Politician Hats