China-ASEAN AI and digital trade cooperation

Following the 23rd China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) in Nanning, China, in September 2026, regional cooperation has expanded through the 14th Forum on China-ASEAN Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation (FCATTCI). Operating under the theme ‘Shared AI, Shared Success,’ these forums have deepened the focus on digital trade, supply chain resilience, and the implementation of Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA 3.0), which emphasizes digital cooperation and green transitions.

At the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo, the artificial intelligence sector has transitioned toward practical commercial applications. The AI exhibition area now serves as a marketplace where attendees can utilize AI glasses for real-time translation, test security vulnerabilities with AI invisibility cloaks, and purchase rehabilitation robots. To support long-term cooperation, a dedicated AI consumer product section will remain open year-round. Major Chinese firms, including Huawei, iFLYTEK, and Unitree, are showcasing solutions tailored to ASEAN needs. A new ‘open recruitment’ model has been introduced to match ASEAN requirements in logistics, transportation, and urban governance directly with Chinese technical solutions.

Technological advancements include the debut of the Hypertron-SW01 by Shenzhen-based Xuanji Dynamics, a medium-sized quadruped robot featuring self-developed AI software for 3D environmental perception. The company intends to provide automated inspection and fire safety solutions for the power, energy, and petrochemical sectors within the ASEAN market.

New institutional developments include the launch of the China-ASEAN Innovation Cooperation Center for AI. To drive practical application, a cross-border reward program has introduced 14 AI application scenarios spanning the agriculture, manufacturing, and energy sectors. In the energy sector, China Southern Power Grid showcased the DaWatt Large Language Model, optimized for the Lao language to assist in power sector inspections and cybersecurity. Additionally, UnionPay presented an ‘AI + finance’ innovation hub to enhance cross-border trade and combat telecom fraud through AI-driven risk control.