China-ASEAN Expo advances regional integration via CAFTA 3.0

The 23rd China-ASEAN Expo and related summits opened in Nanning, Guangxi, signaling a new phase of regional integration through the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) 3.0. This updated framework focuses on digital cooperation, green transition, and the integration of supply chains.

Key technological advancements were highlighted throughout the event. The 14th Forum on China-ASEAN Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation introduced the China-ASEAN AI Innovation Cooperation Center and launched 14 AI application scenarios for sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. In the energy sector, China Southern Power Grid showcased the DaWatt Large Language Model, specifically optimized for the Lao language to assist in power sector inspections and cybersecurity.

Financial and digital infrastructure also took center stage. UnionPay presented its ‘AI + finance’ innovation hub, aiming to enhance cross-border trade and combat telecom fraud through AI-driven risk control systems. The expo emphasizes a shift toward a more open, rule-based regional market driven by artificial intelligence and the real economy.