China-ASEAN Forum Showcases AI Collaboration Amid Record Trade Growth

The 14th Forum on China-ASEAN Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation

The 14th Forum on China-ASEAN Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation opened on September 16 in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, focusing on artificial intelligence cooperation under the theme "Shared AI Shared Success." The event brought together policymakers, researchers and industry leaders to advance technology collaboration between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Record Trade Growth Between China and ASEAN

The forum comes as bilateral trade between China and ASEAN continues its robust growth trajectory. In the first half of 2026, trade reached 4.34 trillion yuan (approximately $643.44 billion), representing an 18.2 percent year-on-year increase. This follows a historic milestone in 2025, when bilateral trade surpassed $1.05 trillion for the first time, with China remaining ASEAN's top trading partner for the 17th consecutive year.

Forum Structure and Key Announcements

The event adopted a three-part framework comprising high-level keynote presentations, thematic seminars, and on-site technology demonstrations. At the opening ceremony, organizers released the Achievements of China-ASEAN Innovation Cooperation Center for Artificial Intelligence, showcasing the platform's progress in advancing resource sharing and collaborative innovation in the AI field.

Officials announced the first 14 "ASEAN Challenges, China (Guangxi) Solutions" AI application scenarios, demonstrating practical results of Guangxi's development model characterized by research and development in major Chinese cities followed by integration in Guangxi and application across ASEAN countries. The ceremony also featured awards for the 4th China-ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.

Strategic Partnership Milestone

The forum takes place during a significant year for China-ASEAN relations. The year 2026 marks the fifth anniversary of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both sides having formulated the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-2030) to guide deepened cooperation. This strategic framework builds on cooperation mechanisms covering approximately 40 areas including artificial intelligence, industry, ports, finance, customs, agriculture and standardization.

In May 2026, the ASEAN-China Artificial Intelligence Industry Innovation Center was inaugurated in Beijing as a flagship project under the comprehensive strategic partnership. The center facilitates joint research, industrial deployment, standards-setting and capacity building, providing institutional support for AI cooperation initiatives like those discussed at the Nanning forum.

Forum Program and Components

The forum program included multiple components:

• The opening ceremony and main forum
• The 8th ASEAN Plus Three Young Scientists Forum bringing together researchers from 13 countries including the ASEAN 10 plus China, Japan and South Korea
• The 4th Forum on China-ASEAN AI Cooperation
• Technology matchmaking sessions
• Related seminars
• The China-ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition China Tour

Integration with China-ASEAN Expo

The event ran concurrently with the Exhibition on Advanced Technology of the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo, held September 17-21, 2026 in Nanning. The expo's AI exhibition area expanded 60 percent from the previous edition, with 296 companies participating, up 48 percent year-on-year. This "forum and exhibition integration" approach aimed to generate innovative thinking and build consensus on science and technology cooperation.

Guangxi's Strategic Role

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region serves as a strategic gateway connecting China and ASEAN. During the September expo, the ASEAN Secretary-General met with Guangxi officials and encouraged greater collaboration to further contribute to ASEAN-China relations under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The forum follows the 13th meeting of the ASEAN-China Joint Science, Technology and Innovation Committee held in Vientiane, Laos on June 24, 2026, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in science, technology and innovation, emphasizing joint research, personnel exchange, and technology transfer capacity building.

Organizers stated the forum aims to help advance the building of the China-ASEAN Innovation Community and inject momentum into forging a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future through dialogue and exchange on technology cooperation.