Zhang Yiming, the 38-year-old co-founder and CEO of ByteDance—the parent company of TikTok—has announced his intention to step down from his position.
The Chinese tech billionaire made this known in a statement quoted by Reuters, revealing that the move will help him focus on broader, long-term strategic goals for the company.
Zhang is expected to officially relinquish the CEO role later in the year and transition into a new role focused on key strategy development.
Why Zhang Yiming Is Stepping Down
In an internal letter to ByteDance employees, Zhang explained that his decision to step down stems from a personal desire to step away from day-to-day management duties and instead invest more time in long-term innovation and corporate strategy.
Zhang wrote that he believes someone else can better drive daily operations, while he channels his energy into creating more value for ByteDance over the long haul.
Liang Rubo Named as Successor
Taking over the reins is Liang Rubo, Zhang’s longtime friend and college roommate, who currently serves as ByteDance’s Head of Human Resources.
Liang will assume the CEO role as Zhang transitions to his new strategy-focused position.
The leadership shuffle comes at a time when ByteDance continues to expand its global footprint, especially through its flagship platform TikTok, which has become one of the most downloaded and influential social media apps worldwide.
What This Means for ByteDance and TikTok
Zhang’s move highlights the company’s shift toward long-term planning and global innovation.
With Liang stepping in, ByteDance is expected to maintain its rapid growth while exploring deeper investment in artificial intelligence, content platforms, and new product development.
As ByteDance adapts to regulatory pressures both in China and internationally, this leadership transition could mark a new chapter in its evolving strategy.
