At just 18 years old, Hong Kong tech enthusiasts Rexan Wong Chak-chi and Ken Mochizuki are both eager to launch their business ideas, but their paths diverge significantly. Wong is looking to Silicon Valley in the United States for better support, while Mochizuki prefers to stay in Hong Kong and contribute locally.

These contrasting choices underscore Hong Kong’s strengths and challenges as it seeks to become a global innovation and talent hub. The city’s first five-year plan, to be released by the government later in 2026, prioritizes artificial intelligence (AI) and research transformation as key areas under China’s strategic blueprint.

Wong’s interest in AI began at age 15 after taking a mobile app development class. He later connected with leading tech entrepreneurs through X, formerly Twitter, and developed an AI-powered app called Text Behind Image in 2024. The app reportedly has 500,000 users who can design images with text behind featured objects.

Despite Hong Kong’s cutting-edge university research, critics warn that an increasingly risk-averse culture and a lack of early-stage support may drive young tech talent to seek opportunities overseas.

This tension highlights the broader challenge Hong Kong faces in retaining its young innovators while competing with established global tech ecosystems.

Sources