Inside KONE’s New R&D Center: Where Elevators Meet AI
We, with FinnCham Hong Kong, spent an inspiring afternoon at KONE’s new R&D center in Qianhai, where the global leader in urban mobility shared insights into their operations across the Greater Bay Area and unveiled some game-changing technologies.
The facility itself is impressive, but what stood out were the innovations driving the future of how cities move people vertically.
Technologies That Captivated Us:
Innovation
Why It Matters
Lighter Cable Technology
Reduces material weight while maintaining safety standards
AI-Powered Engineer Dispatch
Intelligent routing of maintenance teams based on real-time elevator data
Greater Bay Area Strategy
Understanding how multinational tech adapts to regional needs
This visit reminded us why the Shenzhen ecosystem continues to attract companies pushing boundaries in infrastructure and technology. KONE’s approach to combining engineering excellence with intelligent software showcases what’s possible when hardware and digital systems work in harmony.
Want to learn more about urban tech developments in the Greater Bay Area? Reach out—we’d love to connect you with our network.
Like last year, FinnCham South China is joining the Hong Kong Fintech Week x StartMeUp Festival as a supporting organization!
We’re thrilled to announce that we are the Official Supporting Organisation of Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK 2026 – one of Asia’s largest tech events!
Here’s what’s in store this year:
World-class insights from 1,000+ renowned speakers across 11 curated forums.
Tech showcases featuring 800+ sponsors, exhibitors, startups, and 30+ delegations.
Unmatched networking and connection opportunities with 45,000+ global leaders from 120+ economies.
Experience Hong Kong’s unique charm with a week-long series of community events spread across multiple venues.
Don’t miss this opportunity to join a dynamic week filled with innovation, connections, and insights!
Register now using our exclusive discount code HKFTWXSMUFFINNGUSC10 to enjoy 10% off: https://lnkd.in/g4gT7w8g
Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Multiple Venues
Discovering Home Away From Home: Our Visit to Stey Qianhai
We had the pleasure of visiting Stey-Shenzhen Qianhai Hotel & Apartment (No. 3, Qianhai) during a recent outing with FinnCham Hong Kong, where we explored one of Shenzhen’s unique accommodation concepts.
Stey represents more than just a place to sleep; it’s a thoughtfully designed space that balances home, co-living, and hotel experience. Their mission? To deliver efficiency, flexibility, and freshness through modern technology while maintaining warmth and hospitality.
Highlights from Our Visit:
Smart Living Systems: Digital solutions that make daily life smoother for residents
Sustainability in Action: Nordic-inspired design emphasizing energy efficiency and environmental responsibility
Community Building: Spaces intentionally crafted to encourage connections between guests
For anyone planning a stay in Shenzhen—especially urban nomads and remote workers seeking both comfort and connection—we highly recommend exploring Stey. Their growing network across Asia shows they’re serious about redefining what temporary housing can mean.
Interested in learning more about community-focused living options in Shenzhen? Let us know!
On May 13th, a joint delegation from the Nordic business chambers (FinnCham South China, FinnCham Hong Kong, SwedCham, DCCC, and NBA) traveled to Shenzhen to gain firsthand insight into the cutting edge of robotics development in China. Our destination was Astrall Dynamics, a company that exemplifies the speed and depth of innovation currently reshaping the industrial landscape in the Greater Bay Area.
Witnessing the State of the Art
The primary goal of our visit was to observe how Chinese engineering is tackling complex automation challenges. At Astrall Dynamics, we moved beyond theoretical discussions to see live, operational demonstrations of heavy-duty quadruped and wheeled-legged robots, like the Hypertron T01 and SW01.
Seeing these machines autonomously navigate steep inclines, climb stairs, and traverse uneven terrain in a simulated power inspection environment offered a compelling glimpse into the future of industrial automation.
Engineering Resilience
While we are accustomed to high standards in Northern Europe, seeing these specifications applied to rugged, outdoor robotics in China’s diverse climate zones was fascinating. It highlighted a shift in the local industry: moving from rapid iteration to building durable, “hard-tech” solutions capable of withstanding real-world industrial stress. We discussed what things robotics engineers need to consider in the Nordic environment, such as snowfall, extremely low temperatures, and snow cover.
Insights on Global Convergence
Our subsequent discussions revealed a convergence of interests. While Nordic markets prioritize sustainability and strict reliability standards, the Chinese sector is demonstrating an impressive ability to deliver high-performance hardware at scale.
We explored how these technologies could complement Nordic strengths in green energy and sustainable infrastructure. The potential for cross-border collaboration is significant, particularly in sectors like power grid maintenance, emergency response, and smart city management.
Key Takeaways
The visit reinforced a clear message: China’s robotics sector is no longer just catching up, it is driving innovation in specific, high-impact niches. For the Nordic business community, understanding these advancements is crucial for staying competitive and exploring new partnership avenues.
Thank you to all our members and friends who joined us for this year’s Annual General Meeting. It was a pleasure to see so many familiar and new faces, and to close the year together in such a positive and constructive spirit.
We are happy to share that our new Chair is Mika Autio, and I am honoured to take on the role of Vice Chair for the coming term. We also welcome in our new Board members. We look forward to working closely with our Board, members, and partners to continue strengthening our Chamber and delivering meaningful value to our community.
As we look ahead, we are optimistic about the year to come and hopeful for interesting opportunities, stronger cooperation, and good business prospects for all our members.
Thank you for your trust, engagement, and continued support. Here’s to another active, insightful, and rewarding year together!
FinnCham South China participated in Hong Kong FinTech Week, where discussions centered on the rapid development of fintech, AI integration, and the evolution of cross-border payment systems.
We connected with representatives from several fintech companies and solutions providers. If members express interest, we would be glad to explore the possibility of co-organizing a focused fintech session or company visit later in the upcoming year.
Warm welcome to celebrate the Independence Day with FinnCham South China!
The annual FinnCham South China Independence Day event is upon us!
Join us celebrating the Finnish independence and the Finnish business community with us in the historic center district of Shenzhen!
Where and When?
Date and Time: December 5th, 17:00 (AGM), 18:15 Dinner
Location:
深圳市 罗湖区南湖路3018号 深圳富苑皇冠假日套房酒店3楼
Prego, Shenzhen Fuyuan Crowne Plaza Suite Hotel (Shenzhen Fuyuan Branch), No.3018 Nanhu Road, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518001
How to get there?
Metro:
From 深圳站: take Line 1 (罗湖 Luohu）station to 国贸 Guomao. If you are coming from Hong Kong I recommend this option.
From 蛇口 Harbor: take Line 8 until 湖贝 Hubei. Alternative option: Line 12 from 太子湾 Taiziwan to 桃园 Taoyuan and switch to Line 1 until 国贸 Guomao. Note: long travel distance!
From 深圳北站：Take Line 4 until 会展中心 Convention&Exhibition Center and switch to Line 1 until 国贸 Guomao. Note: long travel distance!
Tickets
Members:
With 1 drink (wine/beer) 150 RMB /
With 3h free flow 250 RMB
Non-Members:
450 RMB (incl 1 glass of wine or beer) /
550 RMB (3h free flow)
2026 Membership Promotion
Individual: 250 RMB
Corporate Membership: 1000 RMB (no increase to last year)
For the sake of clarity, total price for individual Membership + Dinner ticket is total 400 RMB (1 drink) / 500 RMB (Free flow) if paid by December 5th. Payment on location.
Everyone who has paid the 2025 membership fee is entitled to the discounted member prices.
If you join as a member at the event, you get the same discount!
FinnCham South China Visit to SCUT (South China University of Technology)
Date & Time: October 18, 2025 | 14:30 – 17:30 (with optional dinner afterwards) Location: South China University of Technology (SCUT), Guangzhou How to get there: Wushan metro station (3号线) exit C
FinnCham South China is pleased to invite members and friends to a special visit to South China University of Technology (SCUT), one of China’s most prestigious national key universities under the Ministry of Education.
Tracing its roots back to 1918, SCUT has grown into a leading institution of engineering and interdisciplinary innovation, recognized globally for its excellence in materials science, chemistry, and computer science. Known as the “cradle of engineers and entrepreneurs”, SCUT combines cutting-edge research with strong industry partnerships and over 30 national research platforms, playing a vital role in China’s scientific and technological advancement.
15:30 – 17:30 | Casual meeting in Meeting Room 303, Building 30
SCUT team presentation
FinnCham presentation
Open sharing session (members are welcome to present)
Tea and light refreshments provided
17:30 onwards | Free activities & optional dinner with organizers
This visit is a great opportunity to learn about SCUT’s groundbreaking research, connect with leading academics, and exchange ideas with fellow members in a relaxed atmosphere.
A warm thank you to everyone who joined us in sunny Helsinki this summer! It was wonderful to reconnect with our members, exchange insights, and strengthen our Finland–South China ties during the holiday season.
Your engagement and support are what make the FinnCham South China community thrive — whether in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, or all the way up north in Helsinki.
