Dr. Yang Hou, Microsoft GCR
Campaign Statement
My name is Yang Hou, and I am honored to be running for election to the AmCham China 2025 Board of Governors. As a committed advocate for U.S. businesses in China, I would be grateful for your support in this important role to help shape the future of our community.
With over two decades of experience leading global technology organizations across the U.S. and greater China region, I have developed a deep understanding of both the opportunities and challenges American businesses face in China. As the Chairman and CEO of Microsoft Greater China Region (GCR), I lead strategic operations, product optimization, sales for one of Microsoft’s most dynamic regions. Prior to this, I held key leadership roles at Qualcomm, where I helped drive exponential business growth and fostered strong partnerships with Chinese corporations across diverse industries.
My goal in running for the AmCham Board is to continue fostering a positive environment for American companies operating in China. I believe that a stable, constructive U.S.-China relationship is vital for the long-term success of our businesses. In this increasingly complex global landscape, AmCham’s role as the voice of the American business community has never been more critical.
If elected, I will leverage my extensive experience in the tech sector and my understanding of both the U.S. and Chinese markets to strengthen engagement with both the U.S. and PRC governments. I aim to advocate for policies that benefit American businesses, promote innovation, and improve the regulatory environment in China. Additionally, I am committed to fostering collaboration between industries, helping members navigate the challenges of operating in China, and supporting initiatives that enhance market access and drive growth.
I am passionate about ensuring that AmCham continues to serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, advocacy, and networking. By working together, we can enhance the competitive edge of American companies in China and support their long-term success.
I would be honored to contribute to AmCham’s mission and serve as a trusted partner for our community. Your support would mean a great deal to me, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with you to further strengthen the American business presence in China.
Sincerely,
Yang Hou
Biography
Dr. Hou Yang is a proven transformational leader with strong technology industry ecosystem development capabilities as well as local insight to enable customers. He is experienced across operations, product optimization and sales leadership with a strong track record in partner and customer engagement. A combination of strategic thinking and execution discipline has helped him deliver outsized growth in his career.
Dr. Hou joined Microsoft in March 2021, where he is the Chairman and CEO of Microsoft GCR, responsible for strategic leadership of sales, marketing, services and operations across the three subsidiaries that make up one of Microsoft’s most dynamic and innovative growth regions.
Prior to Microsoft, Dr. Hou worked at Qualcomm for more than 8 years both in the US and China. His most recent role was as Senior Vice President of Qualcomm’s semiconductor business in China. During his tenure, the business experienced tremendous growth and more than tripled in revenue. He led a team which collaborated with telecom and mobile internet partners to migrate wireless technologies, deepened partnerships with leading Chinese corporations across industries from mobile to industrial to automotive and drove technology innovation together with a broad array of ecosystem partners in China. Prior to Qualcomm, he spent five years at McKinsey as a leader in their tech practice, based in the US.
Dr. Hou grew up in Shenyang, China and received his Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Peking University and a PhD. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan. He lives in Beijing with his wife, son and daughter. He loves running marathons, hiking, and fishing.