ASTRI Appoints 6G Pioneer Prof Chan Chi-hou to Lead Hong Kong's R&D Push

HONG KONG – October 19, 2026 — The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) is undergoing a changing of the guard that signals a profound shift in the city’s technological ambitions. Effective October 21, Prof Chan Chi-hou, a globally recognized authority on terahertz science and wireless communications, will take the reins as Board Chairman. He succeeds Ir Prof Sunny Lee, who is stepping down after a transformative seven-year tenure.

For those of us tracking the intersection of policy, innovation, and bottom-line impact, this is far more than a routine administrative handover. ASTRI is Hong Kong’s largest government-funded applied research and development center. The transition from a corporate IT veteran to an academic heavyweight deeply entrenched in next-generation telecommunications indicates a calculated pivot. Hong Kong is no longer just looking to optimize existing enterprise systems; it is positioning itself at the bleeding edge of deep-tech foundational research, particularly the incoming 6G revolution.

An Academic Heavyweight at the Helm

To understand the trajectory of an institution, look at the resume of the person steering it. Outgoing Chairman Ir Prof Sunny Lee brought over four decades of corporate and business management experience. His legacy is one of operational efficiency, cross-regional collaboration, and crucial corporate restructuring.

Prof Chan Chi-hou brings an entirely different arsenal to the boardroom. As an IEEE Fellow and the Director of the State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimetre Waves at City University of Hong Kong (CityU), Chan is a pioneer in computational electromagnetics. His work lives in the microscopic, high-frequency realms that will dictate the future of global communications.

"I am deeply honoured that the Hong Kong SAR Government has entrusted me to serve ASTRI and contribute to our country and Hong Kong's technological innovation and development goals outlined in the Nation's 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong's first five-year plan," Prof Chan said, acknowledging the strategic weight of his new role. He also praised his predecessor's "visionary leadership," particularly in steering the recent merger with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI).

This leadership change suggests ASTRI is preparing to bridge the notorious "valley of death"—the treacherous gap between university laboratory breakthroughs and industrial-scale manufacturing. By placing a deep-tech specialist at the helm, the institute is likely to double down on high-risk, high-reward research portfolios. Terahertz technology, Chan's specialty, is the bedrock upon which 6G networks will be built. Securing a foothold in this space is not just an academic exercise; it is a geopolitical and economic imperative.

From Research to Revenue: The Post-Merger Push

Innovation without adoption is merely an expensive hobby. ASTRI currently holds a formidable portfolio of over 1,500 patents and boasts 2,200 successful technology transfer cases. Yet, the pressure to commercialize is intensifying.

Under Ir Prof Lee's stewardship, ASTRI executed a highly strategic merger with NAMI. This consolidation was designed to break down the silos between materials science and applied electronics. As outgoing Chairman Lee noted, it has been his privilege to witness ASTRI's "remarkable growth into a leading R&D centre that delivers tangible impact for industry, the economy and society." He expressed absolute confidence that Prof Chan's "distinguished expertise, strategic vision and extensive leadership experience" will drive the institute to scale new heights.

The timing of this transition is explicitly tied to broader macroeconomic mandates. The Nation's 15th Five-Year Plan places an unprecedented premium on technological self-reliance, demanding breakthroughs in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and next-generation wireless infrastructure. By combining NAMI's advanced materials capabilities with ASTRI's electronics expertise under Chan's 6G-focused leadership, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to deliver on these national imperatives.

"As Hong Kong accelerates investment in technology infrastructure and talent development, I look forward to working closely with fellow Board members and Ir Dr Ted Suen, CEO of ASTRI, to advance innovation, foster collaboration across government, industry, academia, research, and investment communities, and expedite the commercialisation and adoption of research outcomes," Chan added. The ultimate goal, he emphasized, is to "enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness, create greater value for society and reinforce the city's position as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub."

Board Overhaul: Industry Giants Join the Fray

A visionary chairman needs a pragmatic board to turn laboratory theory into market reality. Recognizing this, the Hong Kong SAR Government has appointed six new members to the ASTRI Board, effective alongside Prof Chan on October 21. This new cohort is a masterclass in ecosystem building, carefully selected to accelerate technology transfer across diverse sectors.

The appointments reflect an aggressive commercialization strategy. Ricky Chan Wai-chung, CEO of Jing Mei Automotive Limited, brings the unforgiving realities of global manufacturing and automotive supply chains to the table. As the automotive industry undergoes a massive paradigm shift toward smart, connected vehicles, his insights will be critical in adapting ASTRI's electronic and material innovations for automotive applications.

Similarly crucial is the appointment of Alan Chiu Chi-wai, Managing Partner at ELLALAN. As a leading intellectual property lawyer, his presence addresses one of the most complex bottlenecks in R&D: navigating IP frameworks to successfully monetize patents. ASTRI's massive patent portfolio requires rigorous legal architecture to transition into lucrative licensing deals and joint ventures.

The financial rigor required to scale these operations will be bolstered by Irene Chow Man-ling, Director of DSL Investments Limited. Her background in multinational banking and investment ensures that ASTRI's R&D bets are aligned with market demands and venture capital realities.

The board is further rounded out by experts who bridge the gap between clinical need and technical capability, such as medical doctor Hui Chi-wai, whose background will undoubtedly inform ASTRI's digital health initiatives. Academic heavyweights Prof Chan Shing-chow of the University of Hong Kong and Prof Gary Wong Ka-leung of CityU bring deep expertise in digital signal processing and advanced chemistry, respectively.

This deliberate assembly of manufacturers, IP lawyers, financiers, and scientists reveals the true strategy behind ASTRI's new era. It is not enough to simply invent the future; the institute is actively building the commercial machinery required to sell it. With a 6G pioneer at the head of the table and a board stacked with industry pragmatists, Hong Kong's primary R&D engine is officially shifting into high gear.