TLDR: The 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning, Guangxi, marked a significant shift towards digital collaboration, with artificial intelligence (AI) as a central theme. The event featured a massive AI Pavilion, an inaugural Ministerial Forum on AI, and numerous deals and projects focused on AI-driven development, highlighting a shared vision for an AI-powered future between China and ASEAN nations.
The 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), held from September 17 to 21, 2025, in Nanning, Guangxi, has ushered in a new era of cooperation between China and ASEAN member states, with artificial intelligence (AI) emerging as the pivotal force reshaping bilateral relations. This year’s expo moved beyond traditional trade, emphasizing digital collaboration, technology sharing, and industrial chain integration.
A Landmark AI Showcase
For the first time in its history, CAEXPO featured a dedicated AI Pavilion, spanning an impressive 10,000 square meters. This expansive space brought together nearly 200 leading AI companies and innovative teams, showcasing approximately 1,200 advanced AI products. Exhibits ranged from around 20 large-scale models and 60 intelligent robots to 230 digital service platforms/systems and 520 AI terminal products. Notable innovations included Unitree’s humanoid robot demonstrating street dances and boxing, Rokid’s world’s first consumer-grade AI-plus-augmented reality glasses, and a globally debuted AI interactive medical specialist digital human supporting ASEAN minority languages. Chinese tech giant iFLYTEK also showcased its translation products, supporting various ASEAN languages.
Inaugural Ministerial Dialogue on AI Governance
A significant highlight was the Inaugural China-ASEAN Artificial Intelligence Ministerial Forum, also referred to as a Ministerial Roundtable. This high-level gathering saw top officials from China and the ten ASEAN countries, responsible for AI policies, convene in Nanning. Discussions focused on critical issues such as AI ethics, industry standards, and data security, aiming to establish institutional safeguards for regional AI governance. The forum underscored a collective effort to bridge the ‘technology gap’ and address development imbalances, fostering a regular high-level dialogue mechanism for technical collaboration, standard mutual recognition, and policy coordination. China reiterated its commitment to ‘Inclusive AI Development’ during these discussions.
Driving Economic and Digital Transformation
The focus on AI at CAEXPO yielded substantial economic outcomes. The AI pavilion alone recorded deals exceeding 140 million yuan (approximately $19.68 million). Overall, the expo saw more than 140 AI-related cooperative outcomes, including the release of 23 industry-specific large-scale models, 25 AI+ application scenarios, and seven action plans. A total of 155 projects were signed, with 44 specifically designated as ‘AI+’ projects, empowering diverse sectors such as manufacturing, services, agriculture, and cultural tourism.
Quotes and Perspectives
Yu Hong, Senior Research Fellow at the East Asian Institute of National University of Singapore, highlighted the synergistic potential, stating, “China possesses globally leading advantages in AI technology R&D, application, and industrial scale, while ASEAN countries exhibit a strong demand for digital economy transformation and abundant application scenarios, creating substantial collaborative potential.” Wei Zhenguo, Vice President of Sugon, a leading Chinese information infrastructure enterprise, emphasized the AI pavilion’s role as “a valuable platform for technology demonstration and business collaboration.” Thanousone Phonamat, Chairman and CEO of Lao company ALO Technology Sole Co. Ltd., expressed enthusiasm, noting, “We look forward to drawing on China’s advanced AI capabilities to co-develop a smart, digital future.” Wei Zhaohui, Secretary-General of the CAEXPO Secretariat, articulated the expo’s broader impact, stating that it is advancing China-ASEAN trade and economic cooperation from ‘traditional lanes’ into ‘new tracks’ driven by digital intelligence.
Beyond the Exhibition Floor
Beyond the physical exhibits, the ‘AI CAEXPO’ intelligent system was launched, designed to streamline on-site operations across 17 scenarios, including smart conferencing, navigation, and itinerary planning. This system is envisioned to provide 24/7 uninterrupted services, realizing the vision of an ‘everlasting China-ASEAN Expo’. Furthermore, the expo announced the upcoming ‘China’s Top 100 Future AI Unicorn Enterprises Going Global’ list, aiming to foster international expansion for innovative Chinese AI firms. The event also saw the compilation of the blue book ‘Outlook on China-ASEAN Economic and Trade Cooperation’, offering strategic insights into future collaboration in the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area.
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The 22nd CAEXPO has firmly established AI as a cornerstone of future China-ASEAN cooperation, paving the way for a more integrated and technologically advanced regional partnership.
