Cat King Audio Founder Clashes with Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun in Public Spat
In a recent turn of events, Zeng Dejun, the founder of Cat King Audio, sparked controversy with his public criticism of Lei Jun, the CEO of Xiaomi. On June 23rd, Zeng Dejun released a video in which he lambasted Lei Jun, stating that his online persona was vastly different from his behavior in private, which Zeng Dejun deemed lacking in respect. The source of this dissatisfaction stems from a meeting over a decade ago, where Zeng presented his smart speaker project to Lei and an investment manager from Shunwei Capital, a venture capital firm co-founded by Lei. According to Zeng, Lei responded to the smart speaker concept with disdain, asking "What's the use of smart speakers?" and stating, "We don't need to waste our time on this," before leaving the meeting without even a glance in Zeng's direction.
27 June 2025
Zeng perceived this behavior as lacking respect, which has contributed to his long-standing discontent with Lei. He contrasts Lei's public image as being "high and mighty" with his private behavior, which Zeng describes as "incompetent." Zeng's criticism centers on the significant disparity between Lei's public persona and his actions in private, asserting that, at the very least, respect is a fundamental aspect of human interaction. The incident has sparked significant interest, particularly given the evolution of the smart speaker market over the past decade. What was once a nascent industry with unclear commercial prospects has grown to become a crucial entry point for smart home ecosystems.
The following day, Zeng Dejun released another video, clarifying his statements and expressing regret for any unnecessary trouble he may have caused Lei Jun and Xiaomi. He emphasized that he holds no grudges against Xiaomi or Lei Jun and hopes that all Chinese companies, including Xiaomi, can continue to develop and improve, representing China and making better products. Zeng urged the media not to misinterpret his previous statements or take them out of context, and to refrain from sensationalizing the issue. He mentioned that his friends use Xiaomi products, and although he does not use them himself, it does not mean that the products are bad. Zeng expressed his admiration for Xiaomi as a successful internet company that has gained widespread recognition and popularity in recent years.
As the news unfolded, it became clear that the controversy surrounding Zeng's comments was not just about a personal feud between two entrepreneurs but also reflected the complexities of China's tech industry. The incident highlighted the challenges of navigating online personas, public expectations, and the blurred lines between personal and professional relationships in the digital age. Zeng Dejun expressed regret over the controversy sparked by his video and stated that his intention was to encourage enterprises to continuously develop and progress. He also hoped that Chinese companies could represent China and produce high-quality products. Zeng Dejun clarified that he holds no opinions against Xiaomi or its CEO, Lei Jun, and that his goal is to see Chinese companies, including Xiaomi, thrive and improve their products to represent the country's capabilities. As of now, Xiaomi has not issued an official response to Zeng Dejun's statements, leaving many to wonder about the potential repercussions and the future direction of this public feud.
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