Mastering Innovation Through Craftsmanship – 30 Years of Leadership with Qingda Fien’s Chairman Zhao Ming

 

For years, China’s information industry wrestled with a “chip shortage” and an equally critical “soul deficit.” The “chips” are the hardware—integrated circuits and semiconductors—while the “soul” represents the industrial software, operating systems, and product databases that bring hardware to life.

Qingda Fien has emerged as a driving force in closing this “soul deficit.” From pioneering its Digital & Interconnected Quality Management Platform to developing advanced industrial software for digital quality systems, the company has built landmark projects and set new benchmarks for high-end manufacturing quality control.

Chairman Zhao Ming believes that a strong manufacturing sector and a quality-driven nation are essential for the future. Thanks to continuous efforts across China, the “chip shortage” and “soul deficit” are steadily being overcome—bringing Qingda Fien closer to its vision of becoming a world-leading provider of quality systems and standards. With China’s shift toward high-quality development, Qingda Fien’s future looks brighter than ever.

Zhao Ming: The Tsinghua Spirit

The interview with Mr. Zhao Ming by Kinghelm

Mr. Zhao Ming, born in 1966 in Jiangjin, Chongqing—the same hometown as Marshal Nie Rongzhen—grew up in a rural environment where education was the only path to transform one’s future. He excelled at Jiangjin High School, one of Sichuan’s most prestigious schools, and went on to spend eight years at Tsinghua University, earning both his undergraduate and master’s degrees.

He recalls, “In July 1984, I took the college entrance exam and entered the Department of Engineering Physics at Tsinghua University. By my junior year, I specialized in isotope separation, and after graduation, I was granted direct admission to pursue my master’s degree at Tsinghua’s Nuclear Energy Technology Design Institute.”

When asked about the secret to his academic success, Zhao Ming credits passion for learning, thorough preparation, and active engagement in class. Reflecting on the “Tsinghua Spirit,” he highlights three core values: “Tsinghua Purple,” symbolizing lifelong identity and alumni bonds; “No Sports, No Tsinghua,” emphasizing health and balance; and “Red and Professional,” the integration of civic responsibility with technical excellence.

The Tsinghua Spirit: A Lifetime of Dedication

Tsinghua Spirit: Sending Birthday Wishes to Alumni Zhao Ming

Mr. Zhao Ming graduated from Tsinghua University in 1992, moved to Shenzhen in 1995, and began his entrepreneurial journey in 2003. By 2005, he founded Shenzhen Fien Measurement and Control Technology Co., Ltd., bringing together a core team of top talents from Tsinghua University and Northwestern Polytechnical University.

He emphasizes that Tsinghua alumni in Shenzhen share a common philosophy: create real value for society, generate sustainable profits for the company, and achieve personal growth beyond monetary measurement.

In 2017, with support from Guangdong Tsinghua Venture Capital and Xiamen Qingshuo Investment, Mr. Zhao co-founded Guangdong Qingda Fien Industrial Data Technology Co., Ltd. Today, Qingda Fien leads China’s quality software industry, working hand-in-hand with an extensive alumni-driven ecosystem that includes Kinghelm, Slkor, Mindray, Youxue Tianxia (Youxue Pai platform), as well as publicly listed companies such as Guangyun Da, Xintian Technology, and Jinzheng Co., Ltd.

Eternal Quality, Unlimited Potential

Mr. Zhao Ming, Chairman of Qingda Fien

Mr. Zhao Ming has dedicated his career to tackling China’s long-standing “chip shortage and soul deficit,” assembling a top-tier team of alumni from Tsinghua University and Northwestern Polytechnical University to drive cutting-edge R&D.

From 1992 to 2003, he gained invaluable experience in state research institutes and publicly listed companies—mastering scientific innovation, technology development, market expansion, and business management. This decade of hands-on practice laid a solid foundation for his entrepreneurial success.

In 2003, Mr. Zhao officially launched his entrepreneurial journey, focusing on quality management software and industrial digitalization. Despite obstacles, he never wavered from his guiding belief: “The road may be challenging, but persistence leads to success—and the future holds promise.”

Today, under his leadership, Qingda Fien stands at the forefront of China’s industrial quality software market, setting benchmarks for excellence, empowering the manufacturing sector, and unlocking unlimited potential for future growth.

Achievements and Honors

Mr. Zhao Ming, a Man of Many Honors

Zhao Ming is a recognized leader bridging industry, academia, and government. He is the founder and executive director of Shenzhen Fien Measurement and Control Technology Co., Ltd. and founder and chairman of Guangdong Qingda Fien Industrial Data Technology Co., Ltd. Beyond building successful enterprises, Zhao Ming actively shapes China’s industrial innovation ecosystem.

He holds influential positions including Director of the Shenzhen Tsinghua University Alumni Association, Member of the Advanced Manufacturing Committee, Expert of the Shenzhen Science and Technology Experts Committee, and Senior Member of the Chinese Metrology and Testing Society. He also sits on the board of Industrial Metrology magazine and mentors rising entrepreneurs through Tsinghua University’s Entrepreneurship Competitions and the Tsinghua–Xiamen Entrepreneurship Program.

Zhao Ming’s impact extends to high-level advisory roles: member of the Nuclear Power Industry Metrology Technology Subcommittee, advisor to the Industrial Information and Intelligence Research Institute at HKUST (Guangzhou), and government consultant for rural revitalization in Guizhou Province. His sustained contributions to science, technology, and society have earned him wide recognition and numerous honors.

Establishing Innovation and Leading Digital Transformation in Industry

Member of the Expert Committee of Tsinghua Straits Research Institute

Mr. Zhao Ming highlighted the Tsinghua Straits Research Institute, founded on April 17, 2015, as a government-backed initiative jointly established by the Xiamen Municipal Government and Tsinghua University. It is the fifth regional research institute co-created by Tsinghua University after Shenzhen, Beijing, Hebei, and Zhejiang.

At the heart of the institute is the Engineering Physics and Advanced Nuclear Technology Industry Promotion Center (“Tsinghua Straits Institute Engineering Physics/Nuclear Center”), which leverages Tsinghua University’s world-class, A+–rated nuclear science and technology expertise to incubate and commercialize cutting-edge nuclear innovations.

The institute’s headquarters in Xiamen are located on the 8th floor, A Block, Aide Aviation Industrial Park, 520 Qishan North Road, Huli District, with a Beijing office at 601, A Block, Tsinghua Science and Technology Park, Haidian District—positioning it strategically at the forefront of China’s advanced research and technology commercialization efforts.

Example: Qingda Fien holds nearly 100 national patents and software copyrights.

Mr. Zhao highlighted that Guangdong Qingda Fien Industrial Data Technology Co., Ltd. (“Qingda Fien”) is a national high-tech enterprise and a Shenzhen “Dual-Soft” certified company, recognized for its innovation and technical leadership. Its core technologies stem from Shenzhen Fien Measurement and Control Technology Co., Ltd., founded in 2005.

Strategically located at Room 309, 3rd Floor, Sante Building, 10 Lishan Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Qingda Fien sits at the heart of the “Shenzhen Silicon Valley University Town Entrepreneurial Park,” just steps away from Tsinghua University Shenzhen International Graduate School and Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen)—a vibrant hub of academic and research collaboration.

Qingda Fien specializes in intelligent measurement & control technology and industrial digital software, holding nearly 100 national patents and software copyrights. As a leader in industrial quality management software, its cutting-edge solutions power digital transformation across multiple industries, including aerospace, nuclear energy, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor devices and materials, automotive, shipbuilding, chemicals, and machine tools—establishing itself as a benchmark for innovation in industrial digitalization.

Core Competitiveness and Innovation at Qingda Fien

Core Value of Qingda Fien's Digital Quality Platform

When asked about Qingda Fien’s core competitive edge, Mr. Zhao Ming explained that the company was the first in the world to introduce the concept of an Interconnected Digital Quality Platform System—a groundbreaking approach that fuses advanced technology, automation, and data-driven insights.

This next-generation Digital Quality Platform is built on a flexible 70% modular / 30% customized architecture, enabling a fully integrated, end-to-end Quality Management System (QMS). By tightly linking with PLM and incorporating industry-standard quality tools such as QFD, APQP, MSA, and SPC, it delivers measurable improvements in product quality, operational efficiency, and cost savings.

Designed for seamless connectivity, the platform integrates effortlessly with surrounding enterprise systems—including PLM, ERP, SCM/SRM, MES, WMS, CRM, IoT, and maintenance platforms—through standardized data interfaces supporting WebService, WebAPI, and other open protocols. The result is a future-ready quality ecosystem that empowers manufacturers to innovate faster, operate smarter, and achieve superior business outcomes.

Qingda Fien’s Corporate Culture: An Enduring Legacy

Qingda Fien's Culture, with a Long and Rich Heritage

Mr. Zhao Ming combines the refined demeanor of a gentleman, the intellectual depth of a scholar, and the warm authenticity of his Sichuan–Chongqing roots. A lifelong believer in balance, he values health and fitness—especially running—which reflects Tsinghua University’s motto: “No sports, no Tsinghua.” Outside of work, Zhao enjoys meaningful connections with friends and frequently shares his insights and experiences online, believing that “those who share openly often have great vitality.”

He is known for his perseverance and collaborative spirit, often remarking: “Through collective effort we create a shared future. The road may be challenging, but the horizon is bright.” As China’s industrial software market rapidly evolves, Zhao Ming recognizes both opportunities and challenges. Despite generally low satisfaction rates in the industry, Qingda Fien has achieved an 80% repeat order rate thanks to its relentless focus on innovation, reliability, and quality.

Zhao Ming’s guiding principles:

• “Slow” Craftsmanship: Over 30 years devoted to “casting the soul of the nation.”

• Persistence: “No matter how difficult the challenge, we never give up.”

• Tsinghua Legacy: Lifelong self-improvement and integrity, true to Tsinghua’s values.

• Win-Win Through Altruism: Leading with passion, determination, and mutual benefit in every partnership.

He also emphasizes that building world-class industrial software requires multidisciplinary expertise and, above all, character. As he often says, technical skills can be taught, but integrity is non-negotiable. This belief underpins both his leadership style and Qingda Fien’s reputation for trust and excellence.

Final Thoughts

Slkor Micro Semicon Product Applications

On behalf of Kinghelm and Slkor, General Manager Mr. Song Shiqiang extends heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Zhao Ming for his over 30 years of unwavering dedication in tackling China’s “chip shortage and soul deficit.” Through his leadership, Zhao Ming has harnessed collective expertise and innovation to drive significant industry progress.

We celebrate Qingda Fien’s achievements in industrial quality management software and look forward to its continued global recognition and influence. May the company soon go public, realizing its vision of becoming the world’s leading provider of quality systems and a benchmark for industrial standards worldwide.