Hong Kong Heralded as Ideal Launch Pad for Start-ups at Alibaba Competition: A Strategic Gateway to Mainland China and the Asia-Pacific Market

Alibaba entrepreneurial contest: Hong Kong leaders promote city as perfect kick-off platform

Presenters at the Jumpstarter Ignition Gala emphasized the city's beneficial location sandwiched between mainland China and the wider Asia-Pacific market.

Algernon Yau Ying-wah, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, said that Hong Kong remains the only global economy that benefits from both its own growth and its ties to China. This, he elaborated, keeps Hong Kong's status as one of the most business-friendly and free-trade oriented places worldwide.

Rong Yu, who leads the Language And Science AI Lab at Alibaba's Damo Academy, commended Hong Kong's strategic location between China and global markets. He also talked about the academy's latest initiative, the SeaLLMs project, aiming to adapt large language models to cater to the Southeast Asian markets.

If you're particularly focusing on the Southeast Asia area, I believe Hong Kong's cultural richness could be extremely beneficial as it often sparks innovation. Recognizing and understanding the local culture is crucial, and it may be simpler to find cultural specialists in Hong Kong compared to other regions.