On December 8, the highly anticipated 2025 Global Economic Influence Awards Ceremony was grandly held at The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen. Mr. Zhao Liheng, Chairman of HK StarHarbour Group, was honored with this prestigious award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the global AI solutions sector, his leadership in driving technological innovation within his team, and his exceptional role in advancing efficient and collaborative international economic development. The Award Organizing Committee lauded his vision of “leveraging AI-driven innovation to transform industries and build bridges for global economic cooperation,” hailing him as a pioneering practitioner shaping the new era of globalization.
The Global Economic Influence Person of the Year, initiated by the Global Economic Influence Committee, is an annual event honoring outstanding figures in politics, business, and academia who have made remarkable contributions to global development, industrial innovation, and sustainable progress. Undergoing six months of rigorous evaluation across four core criteria – industry achievements, innovative reforms, social responsibility, and international influence – Mr. Zhao Liheng was unanimously recognized by the judging panel comprising renowned economists, industry leaders, and senior media professionals for his leadership at Hong Kong-based HKStarHarbor Group in driving technological breakthroughs and global expansion that significantly propelled global economic recovery.
As a pioneer in AI-powered smart service solutions, Mr. Zhao, during his decade-long stewardship of HK StarHarbor Group, consistently adhered to a development strategy combining “technological innovation with global collaboration.” Leveraging Hong Kong’s strategic location, he established a worldwide R&D network spanning China, Germany, Japan, and Australia, while forging deep industry-academia-research partnerships with prestigious institutions including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Germany’s Clausthal University of Technology, accumulating over 200 core patents. Under his strategic guidance, the group’s Star-flash Smartcharge, featuring AI-powered smart charging and V2X bidirectional charging technology, pioneered robotic application innovations that effectively addressed challenges posed by aging charging infrastructure in multiple European regions. This achievement secured procurement intentions from several German energy conglomerates and automotive suppliers, marking China’s intelligent charging technology formally entering Europe’s core markets. Additionally, the group’s operations had expanded across smart technology and energy services, establishing a cross-regional, diversified, and industrialized ecosystem of collaborative partnerships.
Beyond commercial success, Mr. Zhao Liheng consistently prioritized corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. He spearheaded the group’s strategic investments in green energy and technology inclusiveness, leveraging technological innovation to advance global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles. His advocacy for the concept of “technology empowering livelihoods” gained widespread recognition within the industry. Meanwhile, he actively established collaborative bridges between Hong Kong, mainland China, and global markets, driving regional resource optimization and industrial synergistic upgrading. These efforts provided significant momentum for Hong Kong’s construction as an international science and technology innovation hub, reinforcing its role as a nexus for cross-border industrial collaboration and sustainable development.
At the award ceremony, Mr. Zhao Liheng stated: “This honor is not only a recognition of Star Harbor Group’s prolonged commitment and dedication over the years, but also an encouragement for Hong Kong enterprises to actively contribute to global economic innovation. Going forward, we will steadfastly prioritize technological innovation, further strengthen global industry-academia-research partnerships, and facilitate the construction of a more open, synergistic, and sustainable global economic ecosystem.”