(Yicai Global) Jan. 3 -- Lu Weibing, former president of Chinese smartphone manufacturer Gionee Communication Equipment, has reportedly become a vice president at hardware and software maker Xiaomi.

Lu joined the Beijing-based tech firm today, Chairman Lei Jun said on his personal Weibo account yesterday. He did not disclose what position Lu would take up, but Tencent-backed news portal QQ reported today that he will take charge of the firm's overseas expansion.

Lu joined Gionee as president in 2010, heading up the firm's foreign divisions with some success. He left the company, which declared bankruptcy last month, in 2017 to set up Internet of Things device maker Chenyee Technology, though the venture failed to perform.