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.
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!
Following our technology tour of Astrall Dynamics, the FinnCham South China community gathered for an intimate and meaningful dinner with Ambassador of Finland to China Mikko Kinnunen, and members of his embassy retinue.
A Night of Dialogue and Community
Over a delicious spread of traditional Cantonese cuisine, the atmosphere was relaxed yet purposeful. This gathering was highly anticipated by our members, offering a rare opportunity to sit down face-to-face with the Ambassador and discuss the realities of doing business in the region.
The evening was less about formal protocol and more about genuine connection. Members of our community shared their greetings, success stories, and, importantly, their concerns regarding the evolving business landscape in South China. It was a space where entrepreneurs could voice their challenges directly to diplomatic leadership, ensuring that the Finnish business perspective is heard at the highest levels.
A theme of our conversation was the sheer scale and potential of the Greater Bay Area (GBA). South China is not just a market; it is a vast ecosystem with immense room for Finnish innovation and enterprise. We welcome more delegations enjoy some South China hospitality in the future.
Looking Ahead
The dinner concluded with a shared sense of optimism. The feedback loop between our members and the Embassy was invaluable, and we are already looking forward to translating these conversations into concrete cooperation.
Thank you to Ambassador Kinnunen and the embassy team for their time and engagement, and to our members for making this a vibrant and necessary gathering. Together, we are building stronger bridges for Finnish business in South China.
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.
FinnCham South China was pleased to participate in SIUF 2026 (Shenzhen International Underwear Fair), one of the leading industry platforms for innovation, design, and international exchange in the apparel and textile sector.
During the event, we were honored to receive an award recognizing our contributions as an international cooperation partner. This recognition reflects the continued efforts of our members and the broader Finland–South China community in building meaningful cross-border partnerships.
As part of the program, FinnCham South China also delivered a short talk on recent EU regulatory developments affecting the clothing and textile industry. The presentation covered key trends in sustainability, compliance, and evolving standards that are shaping how companies operate within the European market. The topic sparked interest among participants, highlighting the growing importance of regulatory awareness in global supply chains.
Beyond the formal program, SIUF provided an excellent platform to share the story of our members, Finnish innovation, and our collaborative ecosystem. We were delighted to connect with industry stakeholders, strengthen existing relationships, and build new international networks.
We look forward to continuing these conversations and supporting our members in navigating opportunities at the intersection of sustainability, regulation, and global business.
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!
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 had the pleasure of attending the Shenzhen International Underwear Fair (SIUF), one of the most important fashion and textile industry events in China. The Chamber was represented by Chairwoman Ms. Saara Fu, who took part in a range of official activities during the multi-day event.
Key Highlights
Opening Ceremony: FinnCham participated in the grand opening, witnessing a strong presence of both domestic and international brands.
Roundtable Discussion: Chairwoman Saara Fu joined other speakers in a panel on innovation and sustainability in the global fashion industry.
Television Interview: Ms. Fu gave an interview on-site, highlighting Finland’s approach to sustainability in fashion, where eco-consciousness is not just a trend but a long-standing, embedded practice. She also discussed consumer expectations, the second-hand market, and circular economy models in Finnish fashion.
Fashion Shows & Exhibitions: The delegation explored new collections and technological displays, observing growing demand for sustainable practices across the Chinese fashion sector.
Fair Showroom Visit: Ms. Fu visited to fair showrooms and networked with textile and clothing manufacturers.
Photo Credit: SIUF2025
Key Observations
There is momentum in China toward sustainability and innovation, driven largely by consumer demand—particularly among younger buyers.
Companies are actively investing in new textile processing technologies, and AI integration is becoming more visible throughout the design-to-logistics chain.
Despite this progress, internal market competition remains intense, making innovation and brand differentiation critical.
In terms of design, the exhibition featured a creative mix of futuristic and utilitarian aesthetics, classic Western influences, and inspirations from traditional Chinese fashion, highlighting the global fusion shaping the industry today.
Event Snapshots
Casual and futuristic looksA snapshot of the styles shown at SIUF2025MiiOW brand show with some casual looksPhotographers were especially interested in certain types of looksMs. Fu had a long chat with the people from this textile supplierNew materials and solutions were also shown at the fairBesides Ms. Fu, there was some Finnish representation at the eventNot just clothes – all sorts of really cool machinery were shown in the exhibition pavilionSANDYASI’s stall was very livelyMs. Fu at SIUF
Looking Ahead
FinnCham South China looks forward to continued dialogue with industry stakeholders and welcomes collaboration with Chinese and Finnish companies driving responsible, forward-thinking innovation in fashion and textiles.
Töihin verkkokauppa e-ville.comiin! Avoimena on tällä hetkellä työharjoittelupaikan lisäksi tuotepäällikön virka. Lue linkistä lisätietoja e-villestä työnantajana, sekä tietoja avoimesta tuotepäällikön työpaikasta Shenzhenissä, Kiinassa.
