China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations launched the China-ASEAN Countries Artificial Intelligence Application Cooperation Center during the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, according to official reports from China Daily.
Ministerial Roundtable and AI Cooperation Frameworks
The inauguration took place on Thursday during the 2025 China-ASEAN Ministerial Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence in Nanning, the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. The event was co-hosted by China’s National Development and Reform Commission and the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, drawing government officials from both China and ASEAN member states.
During the ministerial meeting, participants proposed launching a China-ASEAN “AI +” action plan and establishing a dedicated ministerial cooperation mechanism on artificial intelligence. Wang Changlin, deputy head of the NDRC, stated that bilateral AI cooperation carries tremendous potential to drive regional economic growth and improve livelihoods. According to Wang, expanding trade volume and diverse application scenarios across the region create favorable conditions for artificial intelligence to empower social and economic development.
Regional Economic Integration and Global Trade Projections
The World Trade Report 2025, released by the World Trade Organization, projects that artificial intelligence could boost global trade by 34 to 37 percent and raise global gross domestic product by 12 to 13 percent by 2040, provided that the digital infrastructure gap narrows and supportive policies are enacted.
Parulian George Andreas Silalahi, deputy chief of mission of the embassy of Indonesia in China, noted that both sides share major opportunities to support regional growth. “Taking into account China as a leading player in AI development and innovation, and ASEAN as the fertile ground for AI development and innovation, as it continues to emerge as the key driver for the region’s digital and AI transformation,” he said. Silalahi pointed to Indonesia’s National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence 2020–2045, which prioritizes health, bureaucratic reform, education, smart city development, and food security.
To realize these regional goals, officials acknowledged ongoing hurdles regarding funding, investment, and workforce readiness. “To realize this vision, Indonesia must also tackle pressing challenges, including the need to develop robust digital and AI infrastructure that demands adequate funding and investment, as well as the growing requirement for a skilled workforce in the digital and AI sectors,” Silalahi stated, adding that bilateral cooperation remains vital to overcoming these constraints.
Institutional Strengthening and Strategic Alignment
Low Yen Ling, senior minister of state for Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, stated that cooperation between China and ASEAN will help accelerate AI empowerment across the region. By utilizing the institutional framework of the China-ASEAN Expo, Singaporean officials note that China’s expertise in digital economic transformation can translate directly into practical cooperative projects.
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