FT Chinese Column - HKU Business School

The “Smartest” AI Is Not Always the Best AI Trader

Recently, Interactive Brokers announced that users can now connect large language models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok directly to their investment accounts for market research, portfolio analysis, and even trade generation. Large language models are evolving from conversation tools that simply answer questions and generate content into intelligent agents capable of calling external tools, connecting to real-world systems, and participating in complex decision-making.

9 Jul 2026

When Images Are No Longer Proof: Trust and Markets in the AI Age

Prof. Guojun He

In the past, buying things online was a bit like going on a blind date. First, you check out the photos—mm, looking sharp. Then, you read the bio—genuine, professional, and trustworthy. Finally, you look at the reviews—five stars, repurchased three times, buy it with your eyes closed. So, you place the order, silently whispering to yourself: 'Even though we've never met, I'm willing to bet you're not a catfish.

25 Jun 2026

A New Era of Globalisation Co-led by Chinese Enterprises Has Arrived

Prof. Heiwai TANG

The history of global commerce over the past half-century features two indelible spectacles. The first is the global sweep of American titans like General Motors, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Starbucks, Nike, Apple, and Tesla. The second is the aggressive overseas expansion of Japanese giants such as Toyota, Sony, and Fast Retailing.

11 Jun 2026

The Rise of the AI-Agent Economy

Prof. Joseph CHAN

Over the past few months, there has been a lot of discussion in the tech world regarding the shortcomings of OpenClaw (popularly known as "Lobster"). These issues include unpredictable behavior, accidental data loss, skyrocketing computing costs, and the risk of becoming a channel for hacker attacks.

28 May 2026

Beyond Tariffs: Rebalancing the U.S.-China Deficit through Strategic Capital Integration

Prof. Haishi LI

The years-long US-China trade war has failed to shift the imbalanced macroeconomic structures of the two nations. Despite the continuous imposition of tariffs by the US since 2018, which escalated further in 2025, the US trade deficit in goods with China persists. The deficit stood at $295.5 billion in 2024 and approached $202.1 billion in 2025 (Source: US Census Bureau).

14 May 2026

HKD stablecoins boost mainland China’s cross-border finance

Prof. Xiang FANG Prof. Yang LIU Prof. Haonan ZHOU

In April 2026, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued stablecoin licenses to HSBC and AnchorX, signaling the imminent breakthrough of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) stablecoin issuance. This represents a significant milestone, marking the official launch of stablecoins as a critical on-chain financial infrastructure in Hong Kong.

30 Apr 2026

When Hospitals Post Wait Times: Relieving Overcrowding or Making Things Worse?

Prof. Huiyin OUYANG

During the peak winter flu season, waiting times at Hong Kong’s public accident and emergency (A&E) departments frequently exceed four hours, with some districts even surpassing the eight-hour mark. In recent years, the Hospital Authority has aggressively promoted 'Smart Hospital' initiatives, pushing real-time waiting times for all 18 A&E departments directly to citizens' fingertips.

16 Apr 2026

AI Shopping Agents: Reshaping the Power Dynamics of Mobile Internet

Prof. Weiming ZHU

In late 2025, "AI shopping for you" began shifting from concept to reality. AI shopping agents started taking over tasks like searching, comparing prices, and completing purchases. As these agents render platforms invisible to end users, platforms risk losing brand value, user loyalty, and data control. A quiet battle is now underway for control of the consumer gateway.

3 Apr 2024

The One-Person Company in the Age of AI: Opportunity, Commoditisation, and the Moat

Dr. Yifei ZHANG

2025 has been dubbed the "Year of the AI Agent" by the industry. AI is evolving from a mere supportive tool into an autonomous "Virtual Partner." Tasks that previously required team collaboration—such as coding, design, and copywriting—can now be orchestrated and completed by a founder through a suite of AI Agents.

27 Mar 2026

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Our Authors

Prof. Zhenhui Jack JIANG

Prof. Guojun HE

Prof. Heiwai TANG

Prof. Joseph CHAN

Prof. Haishi LI

Prof. Xiang FANG

Prof. Yang LIU

Prof. Haonan ZHOU

Prof. Huiyin OUYANG

Prof. Weiming ZHU

Dr. Yifei ZHANG

Prof. Steven Alan BARNETT

Prof. Zhenhui Jack JIANG

Professor of Innovation and Information Management

Padma and Hari Harilela Professor in Strategic Information Management

Director, AI Evaluation Lab

FT Chinese Column

The “Smartest” AI Is Not Always the Best AI Trader

9 Jul 2026

When AI Hallucinates: The Hidden Risks in the Global Large-Model Race

22 Jan 2026

Multimodal AI: Image Generation Capabilities and Safety Challenges

20 Mar 2025

Prof. Guojun HE

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics

Professor in Economics

Director, HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute

Associate Director, Institute of China Economy

FT Chinese Column

When Images Are No Longer Proof: Trust and Markets in the AI Age

25 Jun 2026

When Interdependence Fades: How AI and Automation Are Recasting Global Trade

13 Nov 2025

The Story of Vultures, Wolves, and Humans: Assessing the Economic Value of Biodiversity

16 Jan 2025

Prof. Heiwai TANG

Associate Vice-President (Global), The University of Hong Kong

Associate Dean (External Relations), HKU Business School

Victor and William Fung Professor in Economics

Director, Asia Global Institute

Director, APEC Study Center

Associate Director, Hong Kong Institute of Economics and Business Strategy

FT Chinese Column

A New Era of Globalisation Co-led by Chinese Enterprises Has Arrived

11 Jun 2026

China’s Macroeconomic Shift: A Call for Firms to Go Global

6 Feb 2026

Silver Lining of Trade War 2.0 for the Chinese Economy

1 May 2025

Prof. Joseph CHAN

Associate Director, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Associate Professor of Practice

FT Chinese Column

The Rise of the AI-Agent Economy

28 May 2026

Cultural Phenomena and Financial Innovation: From Labubu to RWA in Hong Kong

7 Aug 2025

Hong Kong’s Journey Towards Becoming an International Web3 Hub

12 Dec 2024

Prof. Haishi LI

Assistant Professor

FT Chinese Column

Beyond Tariffs: Rebalancing the U.S.-China Deficit through Strategic Capital Integration

14 May 2026

Prof. Xiang FANG

Assistant Professor

FT Chinese Column

HKD stablecoins boost mainland China’s cross-border finance

30 Apr 2026

Offshore Renminbi-backed Stablecoins: Opportunities and Challenges

22 Aug 2025

Prof. Yang LIU

Associate Professor

Co-Director, HKUBS Wealth Management Academy

MWM Programme Director

FT Chinese Column

HKD stablecoins boost mainland China’s cross-border finance

30 Apr 2026

Offshore Renminbi-backed Stablecoins: Opportunities and Challenges

22 Aug 2025

Prof. Haonan ZHOU

Assistant Professor

FT Chinese Column

HKD stablecoins boost mainland China’s cross-border finance

30 Apr 2026

Offshore Renminbi-backed Stablecoins: Opportunities and Challenges

22 Aug 2025

Prof. Huiyin OUYANG

Associate Professor

FT Chinese Column

When Hospitals Post Wait Times: Relieving Overcrowding or Making Things Worse?

16 Apr 2026

Prof. Weiming ZHU

Assistant Dean (Open Programme of Executive Education)

Associate Professor

FT Chinese Column

AI Shopping Agents: Reshaping the Power Dynamics of Mobile Internet

3 Apr 2024

The Story of Hong Kong’s Ride-Hailing Services: Then and Now

2 Nov 2025

Dr. Yifei ZHANG

Senior Lecturer

BEcon/BEcon & Fin Deputy Programme Director and Admissions Tutor

FT Chinese Column

The One-Person Company in the Age of AI: Opportunity, Commoditisation, and the Moat

27 Mar 2026

Mainland E-commerce Reshapes Hong Kong’s Retail Market

22 Sep 2025

Prof. Steven Alan BARNETT

Professor of Practice

FT Chinese Column

Global Growth: Stuck in Low Gear

16 Mar 2026

Our Authors

Prof. Zhenhui Jack JIANG

Prof. Guojun HE

Prof. Heiwai TANG

Prof. Joseph CHAN

Prof. Haishi LI

Prof. Xiang FANG

Prof. Yang LIU

Prof. Haonan ZHOU

Prof. Huiyin OUYANG

Prof. Weiming ZHU

Dr. Yifei ZHANG

Prof. Steven Alan BARNETT

Prof. Zhenhui Jack JIANG

Professor of Innovation and Information Management

Padma and Hari Harilela Professor in Strategic Information Management

Director, AI Evaluation Lab

FT Chinese Column

The “Smartest” AI Is Not Always the Best AI Trader

9 Jul 2026

When AI Hallucinates: The Hidden Risks in the Global Large-Model Race

22 Jan 2026

Multimodal AI: Image Generation Capabilities and Safety Challenges

20 Mar 2025

Prof. Guojun HE

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics

Professor in Economics

Director, HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute

Associate Director, Institute of China Economy

FT Chinese Column

When Images Are No Longer Proof: Trust and Markets in the AI Age

25 Jun 2026

When Interdependence Fades: How AI and Automation Are Recasting Global Trade

13 Nov 2025

The Story of Vultures, Wolves, and Humans: Assessing the Economic Value of Biodiversity

16 Jan 2025

Prof. Heiwai TANG

Associate Vice-President (Global), The University of Hong Kong

Associate Dean (External Relations), HKU Business School

Victor and William Fung Professor in Economics

Director, Asia Global Institute

Director, APEC Study Center

Associate Director, Hong Kong Institute of Economics and Business Strategy

FT Chinese Column

A New Era of Globalisation Co-led by Chinese Enterprises Has Arrived

11 Jun 2026

China’s Macroeconomic Shift: A Call for Firms to Go Global

6 Feb 2026

Silver Lining of Trade War 2.0 for the Chinese Economy

1 May 2025

Prof. Joseph CHAN

Associate Director, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Associate Professor of Practice

FT Chinese Column

The Rise of the AI-Agent Economy

28 May 2026

Cultural Phenomena and Financial Innovation: From Labubu to RWA in Hong Kong

7 Aug 2025

Hong Kong’s Journey Towards Becoming an International Web3 Hub

12 Dec 2024

Prof. Haishi LI

Assistant Professor

FT Chinese Column

Beyond Tariffs: Rebalancing the U.S.-China Deficit through Strategic Capital Integration

14 May 2026

Prof. Xiang FANG

Assistant Professor

FT Chinese Column

HKD stablecoins boost mainland China’s cross-border finance

30 Apr 2026

Offshore Renminbi-backed Stablecoins: Opportunities and Challenges

22 Aug 2025

Prof. Yang LIU

Associate Professor

Co-Director, HKUBS Wealth Management Academy

MWM Programme Director

FT Chinese Column

HKD stablecoins boost mainland China’s cross-border finance

30 Apr 2026

Offshore Renminbi-backed Stablecoins: Opportunities and Challenges

22 Aug 2025

Prof. Haonan ZHOU

Assistant Professor

FT Chinese Column

HKD stablecoins boost mainland China’s cross-border finance

30 Apr 2026

Offshore Renminbi-backed Stablecoins: Opportunities and Challenges

22 Aug 2025

Prof. Huiyin OUYANG

Associate Professor

FT Chinese Column

When Hospitals Post Wait Times: Relieving Overcrowding or Making Things Worse?

16 Apr 2026

Prof. Weiming ZHU

Assistant Dean (Open Programme of Executive Education)

Associate Professor

FT Chinese Column

AI Shopping Agents: Reshaping the Power Dynamics of Mobile Internet

3 Apr 2024

The Story of Hong Kong’s Ride-Hailing Services: Then and Now

2 Nov 2025

Dr. Yifei ZHANG

Senior Lecturer

BEcon/BEcon & Fin Deputy Programme Director and Admissions Tutor

FT Chinese Column

The One-Person Company in the Age of AI: Opportunity, Commoditisation, and the Moat

27 Mar 2026

Mainland E-commerce Reshapes Hong Kong’s Retail Market

22 Sep 2025

Prof. Steven Alan BARNETT

Professor of Practice

FT Chinese Column

Global Growth: Stuck in Low Gear

16 Mar 2026