Dr. Charles Zhang (Zhang Chaoyang) is a highly influential Chinese internet entrepreneur, widely recognized as the founder, Chairman, and CEO of Sohu.com Inc. Born in Xi'an, China, he pursued higher education in the United States, earning a Ph.D. in experimental physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1996, inspired by the burgeoning internet industry, he returned to China and founded Internet Technologies China (ITC), which was later rebranded as Sohu.com in 1998. Sohu quickly became one of China's pioneering internet portals, offering search, news, online gaming, and video streaming services. Zhang is often considered one of the 'godfathers' of China's internet industry, playing a pivotal role in its early development and popularization. He is known for his visionary leadership, resilience in a highly competitive market, and a distinctive, sometimes flamboyant, public persona. He has successfully navigated Sohu through various technological shifts and market changes for over two decades.
Charles Zhang's work history includes a series of influential roles in various companies. Here is a detailed list of his professional journey:
Established Sohu in 1996 (initially as ITC), building it into one of China's earliest and most enduring internet giants, offering a diverse range of online services including news, search, gaming, and video (Sohu Video).
Played a foundational role in introducing and developing internet services in China, making information and online communication accessible to millions during the internet's nascent stage in the country.
Led Sohu to a successful Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the NASDAQ stock exchange in July 2000, a significant achievement for a Chinese tech company at the time, enhancing its global visibility and access to capital.
Earned a doctorate in experimental physics from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), providing him with a strong analytical and problem-solving foundation that he applied to his entrepreneurial pursuits.
Recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 'Global Tech 100' most influential people in technology for his contributions to the internet sector in China.
In recent years, he has gained popularity for hosting live-streamed physics lessons ('张朝阳的物理课') on Sohu Video, sharing his passion for physics with a wide audience and promoting science education.
New York University - Polytechnic School of Engineering - Year 2005
New York University - Polytechnic School of Engineering - Year 2000
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