About Me

From international finance to senior development

Hongzhi (Harvad) Li

Unconventional Path to Technology

Born in 1977 in Ürümqi, northern China, my path has been anything but conventional. I moved to Dalian to study international economics, then spent a decade as a bank director in Tianjin - building deep expertise in international business and cross-cultural collaboration.

In 2016, I made the bold decision to move to Gothenburg with my family, choosing this city over others because it reminded me of Dalian - coastal, with hills and a similar climate. This wasn't just a geographical move; it was the beginning of a complete career transformation.

Despite already holding a master's degree, I pursued additional education in International Business and Technology, ultimately discovering my passion for technology as a bridge between cultures and business challenges.

What Makes My Perspective Unique

Most developers learn to code and build products. I've lived three distinct careers across continents, cultures, and industries:

Cross-Cultural Bridge Resilience & Adaptability Business-First Mindset Entrepreneurial Spirit

This gives me perspectives that typical developers lack - understanding both Chinese and Western markets, thriving in constant change, approaching technology as a business enabler, and taking ownership from concept to deployment.

Where I Add Value

Areas of deep technical focus and experience

Enterprise Backend Systems

Deep expertise in Java Spring Boot for building scalable, maintainable enterprise applications. Experience with microservices architecture, database optimization, and complex business logic implementation.

Modern Frontend Development

Proficiency in React and Next.js for creating responsive, performant user interfaces. Focus on component architecture, state management, and user experience optimization.

Cloud Architecture

Experience with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud for deploying and scaling applications. Knowledge of containerization, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure-as-code practices.

Mobile & Specialized Platforms

Android development with focus on automotive platforms (Android Auto). Experience with native development, platform-specific optimizations, and user interface design.

My Development Philosophy

Principles that guide my technical work

Beyond Just Code

I specialize in full-stack development with a particular focus on creating solutions that solve real business problems, not just implementing features. My background in international business means I understand that technology exists to serve strategic goals, not the other way around.

Continuous Learning

Technology evolves rapidly, and staying current is essential. I'm committed to continuously expanding my skills and exploring new technologies that can add value to projects. This curiosity drives my approach to problem-solving and keeps my skills sharp.

Inclusive Design

I believe in openness and inclusion - systems should be accessible and welcoming to everyone, regardless of background. This belief shapes how I approach software development, focusing on creating technology that's usable, maintainable, and extensible by diverse teams.

Practical Excellence

While I appreciate elegant solutions, I prioritize practicality and real-world effectiveness. I focus on creating robust, maintainable code that serves its intended purpose well, balancing perfectionism with delivery timelines.

Interested in My Technical Perspective?

Let's connect about technology challenges and solutions