NANNING, China, Sept. 18, 2025 — Despite a climate of global unpredictability and increasing protectionist trends, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are actively pursuing deeper integration.
A key demonstration of this dedication is the successful completion of negotiations for the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 upgrade, publicly revealed in May, an accomplishment set to strengthen economic connections.
Following over two years of discussions, the enhanced agreement now encompasses emerging sectors including the digital economy, green initiatives, and improved supply chain links.
Energized by this significant agreement enhancement and the rapid growth of AI, the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo, organized by the Guangxi International Expo Affairs Bureau and slated to commence on September 17 in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is anticipated to highlight fresh impetus and opportunities for collaboration. This year, the yearly gathering has attracted over 3,200 exhibitors from 60 nations, indicating a keen interest from international businesses in accessing two of the planet’s most accessible and vibrant markets.
Significant attractions at the five-day expo include a 10,000-square-meter AI exhibition space, a display dedicated to new quality productive forces, and a section for the blue economy. Furthermore, green and low-carbon technologies along with new energy vehicles are prominent features of this year’s event. These sectors hold substantial potential for expansion within China-ASEAN economic and trade partnerships.
This expansion is set to be driven by advancements in manufacturing and robust digital infrastructure.
Regarding digital infrastructure, China has intensified its investments, broadening both their magnitude and reach. This encompasses capital directed towards the 5G industry, which serves as a crucial facilitator for AI, with several prominent Chinese technology firms involved in associated digital initiatives.
Guangxi, serving as China’s southern entry point to ASEAN, is pioneering this integration. Its geographical closeness to ASEAN positions it as a leader in cross-border collaborative ventures.
Artificial intelligence, anticipated to reshape investment environments, has become pivotal for future collaboration, particularly as ASEAN nations adopt digital transformation and express a strong interest in expanding their partnership with China in this domain.
Significant progress is being observed in AI cooperation between China and ASEAN countries. In April 2025, Guangxi Beitou IT Innovation Technology Investment Group Co., Ltd. forged a partnership with MY E.G. Services Berhad, Malaysia’s foremost digital services firm, to establish an AI innovation and cooperation hub, concentrating on fields like blockchain applications and robotics.
Concurrently, the China-ASEAN Artificial Intelligence Collaborative Innovation Center, located in Nanning, Guangxi’s capital, has secured agreements with 16 companies from ASEAN states, a move expected to facilitate industrial advancement.
For sixteen successive years, China has held the position of ASEAN’s primary trading partner, just as ASEAN has been China’s top trading partner for five consecutive years.
While international trade remains subject to instability, the collaboration between China and ASEAN serves as an exemplar of steadiness. Through improved trade structures and the adoption of AI, economic and trade cooperation between China and ASEAN is poised to achieve heightened dynamism and yield even more mutually beneficial results.
Information provided by: Guangxi International Expo Affairs Bureau
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