Shaanxi-Hong Kong synergy empowers TIRAIN's Central Asia expansion via Hong Kong platform

Participants take a group photo together. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Leveraging Hong Kong's international platform, Shaanxi TIRAIN Science & Technology Co., Ltd has secured a string of government-level digital economy cooperation outcomes in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan during the business mission led by John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

As the only geographic information enterprise based in the Chinese mainland to sign formal government-level cooperation agreements on this Central Asia tour, the Xi'an-based innovative firm has demonstrated how Chinese tech enterprises can capitalize on Shaanxi-Hong Kong collaboration to expand globally under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Listed on the Beijing Stock Exchange and certified as a national-level "little giant" enterprise for its specialized expertise and innovation in niche markets , TIRAIN has developed a full industrial chain of spatiotemporal information technologies over more than two decades.

The company focuses on satellite remote sensing, high-precision aerial and drone surveying and mapping, real-scene 3D modeling, digital twin development and remote sensing AI model research. It provides independent, scalable and tailor-made digital solutions for territorial governance, smart city development, ecological conservation monitoring, cultural tourism digital transformation and underground pipeline safety management, The company has mature technologies and strong capabilities in delivering large-scale projects.

TIRAIN began developing its presence in the Hong Kong market in 2013 and established a whollyowned subsidiary at the Hong Kong Science Park in 2023. Long-term service for the Lands Department of the HKSAR — including the construction and dynamic updating of Hong Kong's territory-wide 3D digital mapping system — has enabled the company to build a standardized service system that integrates the Chinese mainland's technological strengths and international operational norms.

Equipped with mature capabilities in international project management, cross-border compliance and global service delivery, TIRAIN has laid a solid foundation for exploring high-end overseas markets.

Participants take a group photo together. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The company has achieved several landmark cooperation outcomes in Central Asia.

In Uzbekistan, TIRAIN signed a memorandum of cooperation with the State Cadastre Agency, covering five key areas: remote sensing technology sharing, joint development of AI-enabled geographic information platforms, real-scene 3D smart city construction, collaborative formulation of industrial standards and joint professional talent training.

Recognized by Uzbekistan's prime minister, the cooperation framework has earned an official invitation for TIRAIN to participate in the construction of the Tashkent Smart New City pilot zone. Local cultural and tourism authorities have also opened discussion for digital upgrading cooperation.

In Kazakhstan, TIRAIN reached a long-term strategic partnership with national digital economy authorities to introduce its proven smart city development model. The collaboration spans the construction of national spatial data infrastructure, urban 3D digital platforms, smart governance applications and long-term data operation and maintenance, aiming to build a replicable and scalable digital city template to support Kazakhstan's digital economic transformation.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) played an indispensable coordinating and bridging role throughout the mission.

As Hong Kong's pivotal external trade promotion body, the HKTDC fully coordinated the mission schedule, organized high-level government-business dialogues and arranged bilateral state-level meetings and official signing ceremonies. By leveraging its global network to connect the enterprise with senior government stakeholders in Central Asia, the council significantly reduced barriers to the overseas market entry and provided institutional and channel support for the implementation of cooperative projects.

Chen Li, president of TIRAIN, noted that Hong Kong's open and international business environment, sophisticated professional service system and internationally aligned operating practices make it an ideal international gateway for inland innovative enterprises.

The company's development model — combining core research and development in the mainland, internationalisation through Hong Kong, and project implementation in overseas markets—help reduces the costs and risks of international expansion for global expansion and provides a replicable pathway for inland tech firms to enter international markets .

Moving forward, TIRAIN will make international business a core strategic growth driver. through a diversified global expansion strategy, including overseas branches in key markets and local agents providing regional coverage, the company will deepen its presence in major Belt and Road markets including Central Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

By continuing to introduce its core technologies in real-scene 3D mapping, remote sensing AI applications and smart city development, TIRAIN will fully leverage the complementary strengths of Shaanxi and Hong Kong to accelerate the global adoption of China's cutting-edge spatiotemporal information technologies.