Jakarta, INTI – The development of artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as both a challenge and a significant opportunity for countries across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. Amid the pressing need for digital transformation and enhanced economic competitiveness, cross-border collaboration is widely viewed as a strategic solution. These issues came to the fore at the China (Guangxi) ASEAN Think Tank Dialogue Forum 2025, held in Nanning, China, on December 20–21, 2025. The forum brought together experts, academics, and stakeholders from China and ASEAN countries to discuss the future of AI cooperation. Through this dialogue, concrete frameworks for collaboration are expected to emerge to promote inclusive and sustainable AI development in the region.
Indonesia and ASEAN at an Early Stage of AI Development
Tang Liangjun, Secretary-General of the India–China Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Chamber of Commerce, stated that Indonesia, as the country with the largest population and economy in ASEAN, is still at an early stage of AI research and development. Nevertheless, Indonesia is currently intensifying efforts to promote AI development as part of its national economic and digital transformation strategy.
According to Tang, this situation is also shared by many other ASEAN countries, which face an urgent need to accelerate AI development in order to support economic growth and improve productivity.
Think Tank Forum Encourages Cross-Sector Collaboration
The China (Guangxi)–ASEAN Think Tank Dialogue Forum 2025 aims to gather insights, experiences, and recommendations from government, industry, academia, and research institutions. Through high-level dialogue and academic exchanges, the forum seeks to formulate proposals for regional cooperation, particularly in the application of AI and the joint development of intellectual knowledge.
Invited as a speaker, Tang Liangjun also presented developments in India–China economic and trade cooperation, as well as the potential for AI development in Indonesia, to forum participants.
AI and Connectivity as the Focus of Regional Cooperation
Held under the theme “Intelligent Connectivity of ASEAN, Shared Destiny – A New Vision for China–ASEAN Cooperation,” the forum highlighted a range of strategic issues, including evolving international dynamics, the upgrading of the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) to version 3.0, digital intelligence empowerment, and AI cooperation.
Gao Zhikai, Vice President of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), emphasized that ASEAN is China’s largest trading partner and that both sides share a high degree of economic complementarity. He noted that moving forward, China and ASEAN should jointly promote interconnectivity and interoperability, while collaboratively leveraging emerging technologies.
Guangxi as a Gateway for China–ASEAN AI Cooperation
As a leading gateway for cooperation with ASEAN, Guangxi is leveraging major opportunities arising from China’s national policies on AI capacity development. The region is actively promoting scientific and technological innovation collaboration, while consolidating policy, platform, and resource advantages to position itself as an ASEAN-oriented AI cooperation hub.
Zhao Rui of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences highlighted that deepening sustained cooperation between China and ASEAN, and building a closer community with a shared future, not only holds significant practical value for regional prosperity and stability but also contributes valuable Asian wisdom to the transformation of global governance.
China – ASEAN FTA 3.0 and the Future of the Digital Economy
Ong Tee Keat, President of the Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for the Asia-Pacific in Malaysia, noted that sectors covered under the upgraded China ASEAN FTA 3.0 such as the digital economy, green economy, and supply chain connectivity are all critical areas for ASEAN’s future development. He stressed the importance of optimizing industrial chain cooperation to encourage independent research and development in ASEAN countries.
The forum also marked the launch of the “Nanning Initiative on AI Cooperation of the Digital Silk Road Think Tank Alliance (China ASEAN),” serving as a joint commitment to strengthening AI collaboration across the region.
Conclusion
The China (Guangxi)–ASEAN Think Tank Dialogue Forum 2025 underscored the importance of regional cooperation in the development of artificial intelligence. Through cross-border, cross-sector, and institutional synergy, AI is expected to become a new engine of economic growth, strengthen regional connectivity, and foster inclusive and sustainable development for both China and ASEAN.
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