By the evening of March 20, the relationship between Liu Yifei and Huawei’s CEO Yu Chengdong had been officially clarified.
In particular, shortly after the actress was honored with the Outstanding Quality Star award at the Television Drama Quality Ceremony organized by Dongfang TV on March 19, Huawei held a press conference announcing Liu Yifei as their automotive brand ambassador. This is the highest-ranking title ever awarded to an artist in Huawei’s automotive division.
Huawei’s announcement of a commercial contract with Liu Yifei has put an end to the dating rumors between the actress and the firm’s CEO, Yu Chengdong, proving that their connection is purely professional. Yu Chengdong is the head of Huawei’s automotive division, and the interactions, as well as the previously released video of a car covered in roses, were merely a teaser for the collaboration between the 1987-born star and Huawei.
Meanwhile, previously in the evening of March 8, Chinese netizens were abuzz when they discovered that Liu Yifei and Huawei executive Yu Chengdong had unexpectedly followed each other on Weibo. This action came shortly after the actress liked a video of Yu Chengdong sending International Women’s Day wishes to women.
Notably, in the video, Yu Chengdong covered a car with roses and left a message, “Yellow roses symbolize freedom and courage. Happy International Women’s Day.” In China, yellow roses became linked to Liu Yifei after she sparked a trend with her 2024 drama “The Tale of Rose.”
On Weibo, the interactions between Liu Yifei and Yu Chengdong quickly became a hot topic. The actress, known for keeping her personal relationships private, rarely follows or publicly engages with prominent, powerful men on social media. This has led to speculation about whether Liu Yifei is subtly revealing a romantic relationship with the Huawei chairman. To date, the only relationship she has publicly confirmed was with actor Song Seung-heon.
However, Liu Yifei’s fans argue that the Weibo interaction is likely work-related. Reports suggest that Huawei has secured Liu Yifei as the brand ambassador for its automobile division. If true, this collaboration would be a major commercial success for Liu Yifei. Securing an endorsement deal for luxury cars is notoriously difficult for celebrities in China. Car brands catering to high-income customers demand representatives who embody prestige, sophistication, and exclusivity. These are criteria that even top-tier stars struggle to meet.
According to 163 News, Yu Chengdong was born in 1969 and is 18 years older than Liu Yifei. He is a major figure in China’s business world. Yu Chengdong was appointed CEO of Huawei in 2011. He played a pivotal role in making Huawei the world’s second-largest smartphone brand. In 2024, Yu Chengdong transitioned to the role of chairman for two Huawei subsidiaries. These subsidiaries specialize in smart automotive components and intelligent terminal manufacturing. He was also instrumental in Huawei’s entry into the automotive market in 2019.
There is little public information regarding Yu Chengdong’s marital status. Media reports do not confirm whether he has a wife or children.
Meanwhile, Liu Yifei remains one of the hottest names in Chinese television, consistently delivering hit dramas, including “A Dream of Splendor,” “Meet Yourself,” and “The Tale of Rose.” Recently, she has also been linked to actor Li Xian, her co-star in “Meet Yourself.” The rumored couple sparked speculation after being spotted together at the birthday party of TV host Li Xiang’s daughter in late 2024. However, neither Liu Yifei nor Li Xian has addressed the dating rumors.