In the IT field, databases, chips, and operating systems are known as the three fundamental software and the cornerstone of information technology. However, for China, the development path of database technology has been exceptionally bumpy. For a long time, the Chinese database industry has been in a dilemma of dual shortage of talent and technology. At this moment, a historic turning point quietly arrived.
In 2015, HP decided to divest its Silicon Valley database team, which had been acquired for over a decade. This team originated from Tandem, the world's largest fault-tolerant server manufacturer, and is a pioneer in launching HTAP architecture integrated distributed databases worldwide. Tianteng's products enjoy the reputation of "never stopping" in the financial field, and its profound research and development accumulation and technological foundation are undoubtedly a shot in the arm for China's database industry.
Dr. Li Weichong, who was then the CTO of HP China, is a well-known figure in the industry. As one of the earliest group of PhDs to study in the United States after the establishment of the People's Republic of China, he has a deep understanding of this team. He is well aware that these codes and technologies not only represent the forefront of the global database field, but also valuable resources for China to break through technological barriers and achieve independent innovation. So, he teamed up with Rob Sharble, the head of HP's database team, and Dr. Ding to persuade HP's legal department to "open source" the database code on the condition that the recipient would be responsible for the placement of the entire team to avoid HP's severance compensation.
The decision to open source paved the way for the birth of Yijingjie. Dr. Li Weichong is well aware that the inheritance and innovation of technology require soil, and China is precisely this fertile land that urgently needs to be cultivated. He invited Li Jing to invest in the Yijingjie project and proposed a grand vision: to establish a parallel team in China, quickly pass on the technology of the American team to the Chinese team, and cultivate more database kernel professionals for China.
In 2015, Yijingjie from the United States, Yijingjie from Shanghai, Yijingjie from Beijing, and Yijingjie from Guizhou were successively established, with Yijingjie from Guizhou serving as the parent company to coordinate and command the overall situation. A research and development team composed of a mix of Chinese and American teams, led by the parent company, embarked on the path of developing distributed databases.
During the research and development process, American employees imparted advanced database technology and architecture design experience to Chinese employees, which nourished the growth of the Chinese team like a gentle stream. After unremitting efforts, EsgynDB, the first database developed by Yijingjie, has finally shone in the fields of Internet of Things, financial risk control, intelligent manufacturing, big data, and government affairs, attracting well-known domestic and foreign enterprises including JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, Bank of New York Mellon, Amazon Web Services, Foxconn, as well as China Mobile, China Unicom and many others to become its customers.
The success of Yi Jingjie is not only a major breakthrough in China's database technology, but also a vivid embodiment of Dr. Li Weichong's patriotism. He deeply understands that the power of technology lies in promoting social progress, and the inheritance of technology lies in the cultivation of talents. Through the platform of Yijingjie, he not only introduced advanced technology into China, but also cultivated a professional team of database kernels in China that can independently develop and continuously innovate.
The story of Dr. Li Weichong is a hymn about patriotism and technological innovation. He proved through practical actions that no matter where he is, his love for the motherland and serving the country will never change. The birth and development of Yi Jingjie is the best witness to his sentiment. In the future, Yijingjie will continue to forge ahead on the journey of domestic databases and contribute its own strength to China's information construction.
© OfficialAffairs
