An AI start-up backed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Automation seeks to promote its artificial intelligence offerings outside the mainland under a strategic partnership with Cherrypicks, the firm behind Hong Kong’s Covid-19 tracking app.
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Beijing-based Zhongke WengAI, whose services are used by various Chinese ministries and state media outlets, will also jointly develop with Cherrypicks – owned by Hong Kong-listed NetDragon Websoft – enterprise AI solutions for industries such as finance and healthcare, the partners said in a statement on Friday.
This collaboration “exemplifies the convergence of China’s AI ‘go-global’ strategy with Hong Kong’s innovation strengths”, said Simon Leung Lim-kin, vice-chairman at NetDragon.
He also pointed out that the strategic partnership would help “further cement Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation hub”.
Shares of NetDragon closed unchanged at HK$11.61 on Friday.
The partnership reflects efforts by Chinese AI firms to expand the reach of their operations beyond the mainland, while bolstering Hong Kong’s campaign to reposition itself as an international innovation and technology hub.