Ask AI · How can female entrepreneurs turn learning ability into an advantage?

Family inheritance is more about “leaving behind shared values that are supported by the family and society.”

Text | Reporter Li Yanyan from China Entrepreneur

Intern Editor | Li Yuan Editor | He Yifan

Header Image Source | Interviewee

In the past year, Stanley Ho has devoted a great deal of effort to Harbin.

Last winter, in this city where ice, snow, and passion intertwine, she organized the 11th “World Tourism Economy Forum.”

Founded in Macau in 2012, this international summit has developed into an important bridge for “focusing the world on China, connecting China with the world.” Stepping out of Macau for the first time and landing in Harbin holds special significance for Stanley Ho: it is her first time, as a Hong Kong and Macau Chinese, to bring her brand forum, founded over a decade ago, to the mainland.

The process of hosting the event involved many adjustments, but also gave her a deeper, more intuitive understanding of the country’s systems and development characteristics. Stanley Ho expressed to China Entrepreneur that this was a “practical battle,” allowing them to truly integrate into the national development framework and better understand the mission of Hong Kong and Macau’s “super connectors.” “Now we need to further integrate into the mainland and truly become a team, a camp with our compatriots.”

Having long been involved in the cultural and tourism industry, Stanley Ho has keen insights and deep reflections on industry development. She believes that today, the cultural and tourism industry has long surpassed the traditional “tourism+” concept. High-quality development of the cultural and tourism sector requires comprehensive efforts in transportation infrastructure, soft services, and other areas, promoting full-chain and all-around growth. AI, as a key driver of development, is an essential subject for industry deepening.

Source: Visual China

Regarding the external focus on family inheritance, Stanley Ho straightforwardly states that the core of inheritance is not wealth, but more importantly, leaving behind shared values that are supported by the family and society. She also looks forward to entrepreneurs in the new era collaborating and leveraging their maximum strengths.

How can female entrepreneurs become their undefined selves? She has profound feelings on this.

“I have traveled to many countries and regions around the world, and I sincerely feel that Chinese women are the most courageous and the best at independently seeking opportunities,” she says. “Don’t always expect external support; our country has already provided women with a free and stable environment for development. The key lies in our own energy and abilities.” “We always hope to learn more, understand more, and this trait can turn into our advantage and strength.”

Recently, He Chaoqiong, Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and Chairman of Shun Tak Group Limited, gave an exclusive interview to China Entrepreneur. Covering topics such as her duties at the Two Sessions, the Government Work Report, cultural tourism development, AI empowerment, family inheritance, and women’s strength, she shared her profound insights on the era’s development, industrial upgrading, and personal mission, offering inspiration for industry growth and women’s advancement.

Below is the full exclusive interview transcript (with some edits):

On “Duties at the Two Sessions”: “Fulfilling and Uplifting”

China Entrepreneur: What are the main themes and directions you focus on this year at the Two Sessions?

He Chaoqiong: This year’s National Two Sessions felt very fulfilling. Many new topics were added, including three newly enacted laws and regulations at different levels, which require us to study and understand deeply.

People are particularly concerned that these draft laws take into account Hong Kong and Macau’s special statuses and clearly define the unique advantages we can leverage in the future. For example, in areas like international connectivity and promoting Chinese culture, there are many things we can do. I feel very excited and deeply realize that as a member of the CPPCC, I bear a new and glorious mission on my duties.

China Entrepreneur: Are there any points in the Government Work Report that left a deep impression on you?

He Chaoqiong: The Government Work Report first presents a very impressive achievement report. Under complex international circumstances, our country has forged ahead, overcoming many external difficulties, proving its strength through concrete actions.

At the same time, the report clearly states that within the framework of the 14th Five-Year Plan, we should adhere to innovation and promote the development of new quality productivity. Currently, new quality productivity is gradually emerging in new manufacturing forms, sci-tech innovation, and service sectors. Continued efforts in these areas will also bring more development space and opportunities for Hong Kong.

China Entrepreneur: Last year, you shared many suggestions on cultural tourism and transportation infrastructure in the Greater Bay Area. What is your focus this year?

He Chaoqiong: This year, I also have many thoughts on the cultural, sports, and tourism sectors. The Government Work Report explicitly states that the 14th Five-Year Plan aims to expand and strengthen the cultural, sports, and tourism industries, with more emphasis than before, reflecting the importance of developing the cultural and tourism industry as a comprehensive new service industry with Chinese characteristics.

This is an upgrade and refinement of the previous “tourism+” concept. It’s not just about attractions themselves but about enhancing the overall experience of tourists, including comprehensive efforts in transportation and soft services; promoting full-chain and all-around development of the cultural and tourism industry. The report provides clear guidance for us.

On “AI Empowerment” and “Decision-Making Focus”: “AI is a compulsory course”

China Entrepreneur: In recent years, AI integration into industries has accelerated. What kind of chemical reactions do you see between AI and your industry?

He Chaoqiong: AI will definitely quickly bring new forms of economic development and become a key driver.

Much of our business revolves around cultural tourism—whether it’s innovating performances or using big data for marketing and customer relationship management, AI is indispensable. Therefore, AI is a compulsory subject for us.

Next, we need to strengthen AI-related training for employees, adjust our industry’s traditional working styles, optimize our corporate layout, and re-plan and position around AI development.

Source: Visual China

China Entrepreneur: Do you personally feel AI anxiety?

He Chaoqiong: I don’t. AI is very interesting; it introduces new concepts every day. It’s not just rigid numbers but adaptable to different age groups and industries. After engaging with AI, you realize it can improve life pace and make work more efficient. The key is how we view it. We shouldn’t resist or fear it; using it well can help us develop better work and life habits.

China Entrepreneur: Over the past year, you’ve traveled to many places. Can you share the most impressive experience?

He Chaoqiong: Of course. Many may have noticed that I spent a lot of time in Northeast China, especially Harbin. Over a decade ago, I founded the “World Tourism Economy Forum,” and last year, for the first time, it was hosted on the mainland as an organizer from Hong Kong and Macau. The process involved many adjustments but also gave me a deeper, more intuitive understanding of the country’s systems and development features.

Through this “practical combat,” we truly integrated into the national development framework. At this year’s Two Sessions, I also strongly suggested that more opportunities be given to us. We often say we should leverage the role of Hong Kong and Macau as “super connectors,” and now we need to further integrate into the mainland, truly becoming a team and a camp with our compatriots. This is very meaningful.

On “Inheritance” and “Wealth”: “Leaving behind shared values supported by everyone”

China Entrepreneur: You manage Shun Tak Group, a well-established enterprise. In your view, what is the core of successful family business inheritance?

He Chaoqiong: The core of family inheritance is very clear: it revolves around shared family values. Besides focusing on business profits, it’s more important to leave behind shared values supported by the family and society. I hope it’s not just me practicing this but that through common values and goals, we can gather strength and give back to society and the country.

China Entrepreneur: When it comes to inheritance, many people focus more on wealth. Do you care about external labels?

He Chaoqiong: I don’t care about various voices and labels from society. Different opinions are neither right nor wrong. The key to inheritance is resilience against time, eras, and environmental factors, forming a lasting communal mindset. Wealth is part of inheritance; without wealth, it’s hard to better serve society. The balance between wealth inheritance and social values is crucial.

China Entrepreneur: Now, with the succession wave in domestic private enterprises, many “second-generation entrepreneurs” aspire to step out of their parents’ shadow. What’s your view?

He Chaoqiong: It depends on the characteristics of each family. Every family’s environment and background are different, and each story and origin varies. It’s hard to generalize. China is very open now, and the 14th Five-Year Plan clearly states that all industries have room for development. As long as one keeps pace with national development, any choice is good.

China Entrepreneur: Some say “guarding the family business” is harder than “building the family business.” Do you agree?

He Chaoqiong: Not necessarily. If an industry remains unchanged for a long time and cannot keep up with new forms, it must be improved and upgraded to stay competitive in the new era. This is also the reason for promoting new quality productivity. Injecting new qualities and energy into existing productivity is essential for sustainable development.

On “Women’s Power”: “We always hope to learn more and understand more”

China Entrepreneur: You span traditional and new economy fields. What do you think are the core traits of entrepreneurs in the new era?

He Chaoqiong: I can’t represent all entrepreneurs of the new era, and I need to learn from and absorb new wisdom and energy from them. I believe the most important consensus among new-era entrepreneurs is mutual cooperation and collaboration, leveraging each other’s strengths. Whether from traditional industries or emerging fields, the goal is shared prosperity and making better contributions to China’s economic development.

Photograph: Li Yanyan

China Entrepreneur: For contemporary female entrepreneurs, how can they become their undefined selves?

He Chaoqiong: I’ve traveled to many countries and regions worldwide, and I sincerely feel that Chinese women are the most courageous and the best at independently seeking opportunities. This is thanks to the free and stable environment our country provides for women’s development. Unlike some regions where women face discrimination when starting businesses.

So I want to say, as women, we shouldn’t always rely on external support. In the past, some people said, “We need more subsidies, more policies for women,” but that’s unnecessary. Our country’s policies promote common development, and women enjoy the same treatment as men. The key is our own energy and abilities.

What is women’s power? Because in many fields, we’ve been “latecomers.” But precisely because of that, we need a broader, more comprehensive perspective and understanding. We always hope to learn more and understand more, and this trait can turn into our advantage and strength. Women are inherently more attentive to details. If I had to describe it in one word, it’s a soft power.

China Entrepreneur: Your responsibilities are increasing—you manage a company and hold multiple social roles. How do you view your multiple identities?

He Chaoqiong: That’s actually a characteristic of women. We are naturally capable of handling multiple responsibilities and good at overall coordination.

So, for me, these roles aren’t very stressful; rather, they allow me to leverage the meticulous advantages of women. Plus, women’s strength in time management helps balance everything. Of course, heavy work and frequent travel can impact health, so I also want to encourage all women to pay more attention to their health and care for themselves.