Zhongke WengAI, an AI startup backed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Automation, has formed a strategic partnership with Cherrypicks, a Hong Kong-based tech firm owned by NetDragon Websoft.

The Beijing-based company, whose services are used by Chinese ministries and state media, seeks to promote its AI offerings outside the mainland through this collaboration.

The two firms will jointly develop enterprise AI solutions for industries such as finance and healthcare.

Simon Leung Lim-kin, vice-chairman at NetDragon, said the partnership converges China’s AI go-global strategy with Hong Kong’s innovation strengths, supporting the city’s campaign to reposition itself as an international innovation and technology hub.

🔗 Source: South China Morning Post

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ China’s AI expansion follows a systematic national strategy targeting global leadership

This partnership reflects China’s documented “go-global” AI strategy that extends far beyond individual company initiatives.

China’s State Council issued the “Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan” in 2017, explicitly targeting global AI leadership by 2030 through a three-phase approach that includes expanding internationally1.

The Chinese government has invested tens of billions of dollars in AI development, with regional governments each committing up to 100 billion yuan (~$14.7 billion USD) to achieve this goal2.

Zhongke WengAI’s backing by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Automation demonstrates how state research institutions are directly supporting commercial AI expansion efforts, consistent with China’s military-civil fusion approach that integrates AI advancements for both civilian and military applications23.

This systematic approach explains why Chinese AI companies are actively seeking international partnerships rather than pursuing isolated expansion efforts.

2️⃣ Hong Kong positions itself as the preferred gateway for China’s tech internationalization

Hong Kong’s role in this partnership reflects its strategic positioning as a bridge between Chinese innovation and global markets.

The city has grown its startup ecosystem to over 4,000 companies with a 34% increase since 2019, while Hong Kong’s government has explicitly stated its goal to become an international innovation hub with AI at its core45.

Hong Kong serves as a gateway for international firms seeking to enter the Chinese market, benefiting from business-friendly policies, low tax rates, and strong legal frameworks that protect intellectual property46.