Cheetah Mobile chairman publicly attacks 360 founder, reigniting a decade‑long tech feud

Public blast in group chats

Cheetah Mobile (猎豹移动) chairman Fu Sheng (傅盛) has publicly accused 360 Group founder Zhou Hongyi (周鸿祎) of owing him money and of deleting him from contacts, it has been reported. The remarks — reportedly posted in multiple group chats late on March 20 — included sharp language and allegations that Zhou “owes me money and won’t pay,” and that he accepted a partial repayment offer tied to a Hong Kong lawsuit but later went silent.

Old wounds, new heat

The exchange reopened a long‑running dispute that dates back to Fu’s arrival at Qihoo (奇虎) in 2005 and his departure in 2008; public records show Fu rose from front‑line employee to head of the 360 Safe Guard project before leaving amid ideological clashes. The two sides then engaged in years of litigation and public denunciation, with Fu labelled a “traitor” by his former employer. They briefly signalled reconciliation in January 2024, appearing on stage and framing their relationship around potential AI collaboration — but this latest episode suggests the rapprochement may have been fragile.

What this means for China’s tech scene

Why does this matter beyond personal rancour? Both figures are influential in China’s internet security and AI ecosystems. Public disputes between high‑profile founders can unsettle partners, investors and ongoing cooperation on emerging technologies. It has been reported that the messages were uploaded to a user account on Phoenix New Media (ifeng) and the platform added a notice that it merely provides storage services for user content; the claims themselves have not been independently verified.

Unresolved tensions

Old lawsuits, cold‑shouldering and now renewed accusations. Is their AI partnership still realistic, or was January’s handshake mostly theatre? For Western readers watching China’s fast‑moving tech landscape, the episode is a reminder that personal rivalries can shape corporate alliances — and that headlines about cooperation may mask unresolved legal and financial disputes.