The Apexmind Summit 2026 was successfully held in Hong Kong today, bringing together leading global strategists, scholars, and business and policy leaders. The summit featured high-level dialogue on how emerging strategic opportunities are reshaping the global competitive landscape.
During the event, Apexmind Consulting officially announced the inauguration of its Hong Kong office. In addition, Mr. Yao Rongjun, founder and chairman of Apexmind Consulting, was honored as an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants Hong Kong (IMCHK).
These dual milestones highlight how the Chinese strategic consulting force, represented by Apexmind, is actively fostering a “cultural handshake” with the global business community through Hong Kong. Guided by the vision of “Strategic Co-evolution,” the firm continues to advance its global expansion in a meaningful and tangible way.
Redefining the Logic of Competition and Interpreting the Essence of Strategy in the New Era
Mr. Yao Rongjun delivered a keynote address offering a profound analysis of how competitive dynamics are evolving in the new era. He emphasized:
“Competition is not about meeting demand, but about winning the mind. The purpose of business is not to create customers, but to occupy a position in the mind. Business is not about improving efficiency, but about winning people’s hearts. Decisions should not be made from the inside out, but from the outside in. Strategy is not the sum of parts, but an integrated system.”
In his view, as Chinese enterprises transition from product globalization to brand and model globalization, the global market increasingly requires a strategic language that is both universally applicable and capable of engaging in meaningful dialogue with the world.
Gaining Recognition from International Professional Forces, Co-Building a New Global Consulting Ecosystem
Nicholas Warn, Chair of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes, delivered a keynote address in which he shared his vision for deepening cooperation with Apexmind. He emphasized the importance of jointly building a global business ecosystem and driving the evolution of the consulting industry.
He noted, “What Chinese consultancies can bring to us — particularly firms like Apexmind — is an enrichment of what we have already.”
This recognition from a leading global consulting body, together with Mr. Yao’s honor as an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants Hong Kong (IMCHK) on the same day, signals a pivotal shift. Chinese strategy consulting is evolving from a recipient of global business wisdom into a co-creator of original strategic thought leadership.
Identifying Seven Strategic Opportunities, Mapping the Growth Blueprint for Chinese Enterprises
Co-President of Apexmind Consulting, Mr. Chen Ji released “Seven Strategic Opportunities for Chinese Enterprises” on site, presenting a structured strategic methodology that provides companies with clear, actionable growth pathways and breakthrough directions. Each opportunity reflects insights refined through real-world strategic engagements with 62 enterprises. These frameworks enable companies to transform external uncertainty into sustainable growth certainty.
From Hong Kong to the World: Powering Shared Growth Across the Greater Bay Area
Distinguished speakers from academia, industry associations, and the business community also shared valuable insights. Professor Shi Weilei of The Chinese University of Hong Kong emphasized from a global perspective that the transnational strategies of Chinese enterprises must strike a balance between localization and global collaboration.
Mr. Yang Yang, Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Director of the HKUST Shanghai Center, highlighted the value created by disruptive innovation in smart city development. He noted that, in the AI era, data and algorithms are opening entirely new competitive arenas for global entrepreneurs.
Daniel Chan, President of the Institute of Management Consultants Hong Kong (IMCHK), noted that Hong Kong is evolving from a “super connector” into a “super value-chain enhancer.” By building a strategic bridge for Chinese enterprises expanding globally and international firms entering new markets through two-way empowerment, Hong Kong continues to demonstrate its unique value as a global hub.
Dr. Huang Weihong, Vice President of The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, offered a Hong Kong perspective on how brands can achieve strategic breakthroughs in the new wave of consumer demand. He highlighted the importance of leveraging regional advantages and strategic insight to unlock new growth opportunities.
The establishment of Apexmind Consulting’s Hong Kong office, together with the successful conclusion of the summit, marks an important milestone in Apexmind’s global journey. While it represents a modest step for the firm, it signifies a meaningful leap for Chinese strategy consulting toward “cultural handshake” and “strategic co-evolution.”
With a proven track record of enabling 62 enterprises to achieve billion-scale growth, Apexmind Consulting continues to propel the industry forward — from setting local benchmarks to contributing to global standards.
Looking ahead, Apexmind remains committed to an open and collaborative vision, bringing strategy frameworks rooted in China and validated through real-world practice to the global stage. In an increasingly dynamic global business landscape, Apexmind Consulting is well positioned to elevate the Chinese consulting industry to new international heights.
