Xiaomi (小米) marks 16th anniversary as staff reflect on long ride

Founder celebrates; employee posts echo the company's journey

Xiaomi (小米) founder, chairman and CEO Lei Jun posted a photo and a short message marking the company's 16th anniversary on April 6, calling the day "special." The post was published on Phoenix New Media's platform and, it has been reported that, drew a stream of responses from current and former staff across Xiaomi's hardware and services businesses.

One comment that stood out came from BSP engineer Liu Lin, who said he has worked at Xiaomi for nearly 16 years — "from phones to cars," he wrote — and listed multiple office moves that map to the company’s growth: from Yingu Tower to Juanshi Tiandi, to Wucaicheng and the current technology park. He framed the history as one of highs and lows: success is rarely smooth, but he expressed gratitude and faith that "good things are always about to happen."

What it means amid a strategic pivot

Xiaomi's anniversary arrives as the company broadens beyond smartphones into electric vehicles and smart-home ecosystems. The sentiment from long-serving employees underscores internal continuity even as the firm undergoes strategic shifts. For Western readers: Xiaomi is one of China’s largest consumer electronics makers and is listed in Hong Kong; its moves matter to global supply chains and investors amid broader U.S.–China tech competition and trade pressures.

The commemorative post and the employee responses were published via Dafeng Hao (大风号), a user-content channel under Phoenix New Media, which notes it merely provides information storage services for user uploads. What does the 16th year signal for Xiaomi — consolidation, transformation, or both? Only time will tell.