OneConnect Exec Reveals Blueprint for Tech "Ecosystem Alliances" in Global Expansion Push
SHENZHEN, June 22, 2025 – At the Shenzhen Xiangmihu International Finance Institute’s 2025 Summer Conference, OneConnect outlined a pioneering "dual-engine" strategy for fintech globalization, positioning ecosystem partnerships as the new imperative for Chinese tech firms abroad. Jin Xinming, CEO of OneConnect Hong Kong and Head of AI & Digital Intelligence, detailed the company’s playbook for overcoming localization barriers while expanding its international footprint.
Strategic Shift: From Tech Exporter to Ecosystem Architect
Rejecting pure technology licensing models, Jin emphasized OneConnect’s integrated approach: "Technology + Business Expertise". This leverages Ping An Group’s 37 years of financial operations experience—validated across 197 institutions in 20 markets—to deliver turnkey solutions.
"Our partnership with South Africa’s Old Mutual Insurance exemplifies this," Jin noted. "When they sought integrated finance transformation, Ping An’s实战经验 (practical experience) in banking, insurance, and pensions became the decisive value-add—helping clients leapfrog development stages."
The model marks a critical evolution: Chinese tech providers transitioning from vendors to co-builders of financial ecosystems.
Regional Anchors: Southeast Asia and Middle East Lead Deployment
OneConnect’s expansion prioritizes high-potential corridors:
Southeast Asia: Over 50% of Hong Kong banks now use OneConnect solutions
Middle East: Collaboration with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to build regulatory-compliant lending platforms—elevating its role to standards co-creator
The strategy aligns with ASEAN’s projected $4.7T GDP by 2030 and the Gulf’s fintech deregulation wave.
Solving the "Localization Paradox": Four-Pillar Framework
Jin unveiled a systematic approach to avoid cross-market pitfalls:
Globally Scalable R&D: Core tech architecture adaptable to regional compliance (e.g., HKMA, BOT standards)
Hyper-Localization: Customizing solutions for regulatory/cultural fit (e.g., Arabic-language interfaces for ADGM)
Hybrid Talent: Teams blending technical expertise with cultural fluency
Industry Consortiums: "Ecosystem alliances" sharing resources and risks
"We’re exporting entire industry chains—not isolated products," Jin explained. "In Southeast Asia’s auto sector, OneConnect and Ping An subsidiaries jointly deliver everything from supply chain finance to AI-driven credit risk systems. This creates 1+1>2 competitive moats."
The Future: Strength in Alliances
Jin concluded with a bold vision: "Solo expansion is unsustainable. Tomorrow belongs to ecosystem alliances—where fintechs, manufacturers, and regulators co-innovate. Shared infrastructure isn’t optional; it’s the only path to relevance in fragmented markets."
