On April 26, the sub-forum titled “Deepening China-ASEAN Cooperation on Science, Technology, and Innovation Against Geopolitical Risks” was held at the Think Tank Building of Fudan University. The event brought together scholars, diplomats, and policy experts to explore ways China and ASEAN can deepen collaboration amid increasingly complex geopolitical and technological challenges in the region.
Closer Diplomatic and Technological Collaboration in the Face of Shared Geopolitical Pressure
The sub-forum opened with remarks from ZHAO Weihua, Director of the Center for China’s Relations with Neighboring Countries at Fudan University. He set the stage by reflecting on the escalating geopolitical tensions that have characterized the international landscape since the second presidency of U.S. President Donald Trump. The deterioration in China-U.S. relations, marked by trade wars and technological decoupling, has reshaped the global order and placed East and Southeast Asia at the epicenter of geopolitical friction.
Zhao emphasized that ASEAN countries are increasingly caught between great power rivalries. Faced with U.S. pressure and coercion, they are being forced to navigate a complex path between safeguarding national interests and maintaining regional stability. In this context, deeper cooperation with China is not only desirable but necessary. These countries must now decide how best to leverage their strengths in collaboration with China to safeguard peace, stability, and economic growth in the region. This, he mentioned, is a collective responsibility—one that China and ASEAN must share, ensuring that their partnership remains a cornerstone of regional development.
JU Hailong, Dean of the Academy of Overseas Chinese Studies at Jinan University and co-host of the forum expanded on this point by drawing historical parallels to previous technological revolutions. While disruptive in their early stages, he noted, these revolutions ultimately transformed the global landscape. Today’s emerging technologies are similarly reshaping the balance of power, diminishing the dominance of traditional geopolitical thinking.
Ju stressed that no country—especially those in Southeast Asia—can afford isolation in the face of such transformations. Instead, collaboration in science and innovation offers a new foundation for diplomacy, mutual prosperity, and peace.
YONG Chanthalangsy, Representative of Laos to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, provided insight into Laos’ domestic political environment while linking it to broader ASEAN dynamics. Highlighting the rapid evolution of the digital economy, he noted that both China and ASEAN are making strides toward building a sustainable and inclusive digital ecosystem.
Despite the uncertainties and complexities that surround this transition, Yong emphasized that the shared goals of peace and prosperity in both China and ASEAN necessitate an even closer partnership. Given the increasing interconnectedness of global economies, this cooperation was not just beneficial but essential for the region’s stability.
LEI Xiaohua, Deputy Director of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies at Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences, furthered this discussion by highlighting the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in China-ASEAN relations. While ASEAN countries have acknowledged China’s leadership in AI development, especially in areas such as application development and technical collaboration, Lei also pointed out the divergence in regulatory standards—especially in areas such as data privacy, ethics, and intellectual property rights.
He advocated for the harmonization of technical standards and the creation of unified data-sharing protocols across China and ASEAN countries to support sustainable and equitable progress in AI and other key sectors, including infrastructure.
Laying the Foundations for Regional Stability
The conversation then turned to regional flashpoints, most notably the South China Sea dispute. Koh King Kee, Chairman of the New Asia Strategic Research Center, acknowledged the longstanding nature of this issue and emphasized the need for practical, outcome-oriented solutions. With Malaysia currently serving as ASEAN chair, he expressed optimism that a pragmatic approach could help move negotiations forward.
Ju Hailong echoed this sentiment, underscoring that progress on sovereignty-related issues will require the adoption of practical measures, such as signing a Code of Conduct (COC). A binding framework, he argued, would reduce the risk of conflict and open pathways for joint development. It is essential, both emphasized, for the stakeholders to come together and focus on cooperative solutions rather than exacerbating tensions over conceptual differences.
Meanwhile, bilateral ties between China and individual countries in the bloc continue to deepen, with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand emerging as key players. PHAM Duc Anh, Director of the Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Science at Vietnam National University in Hanoi, highlighted the robust China-Vietnam cooperation in science and technology. However, he pointed out that the partnership still lacks a formal regulatory framework. Existing cooperation is largely based on the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed in 2008, which have proven inadequate due to bureaucratic hurdles and administrative inefficiencies. Pham also raised concerns about the developmental gap between China and some ASEAN countries, urging efforts to ensure more balanced and inclusive growth.
Positioning ASEAN-China Cooperation in a Global Context
YU Qun, Director of the Center for Southeast Asia Studies at the National University of Defense Technology, analyzed the broader impact of U.S. trade and technology policies—especially those implemented during Trump’s second term. He argued that the U.S.-led tariff wars have disrupted global trade, undermined industrial cooperation, and dealt a blow to the economies of both China and ASEAN nations. In light of these developments, Yu advocated for a unified front against trade coercion and a stronger commitment to joint development.
ZHANG Jianzhong, Dean of the School of Internet Economics and Business at Fujian University of Technology, touched upon the changing global geopolitical landscape, noting that U.S. efforts to contain China technologically are increasingly limiting the space for China-ASEAN collaboration. Initiatives such as “mini-multilateral” tech alliances have erected barriers that affect firms like Huawei and ZTE—key players in smart city development across ASEAN. Nevertheless, Zhang observed that China and ASEAN are gradually asserting greater strategic autonomy, as reflected in progress on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
BAEK Seo In, an assistant professor from Hanyang University, offered a final note on the mounting importance of technological and cybersecurity concerns, particularly with the advancement of AI. In an era of rising geopolitical tension, he stressed the urgent need for multilateral frameworks for AI governance and digital security. As technology becomes a critical asset—and potential vulnerability—international cooperation will be vital to ensuring safe and equitable development.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The sub-forum concluded with a renewed consensus: China and ASEAN must deepen their collaboration to address shared challenges in technology, geopolitics, and sustainable development. Participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to building a peaceful, stable, and prosperous regional community. The forum’s success reaffirmed that, despite the obstacles, China and ASEAN have the potential to form an enduring and mutually beneficial partnership that can provide stability and prosperity for the region and the world.
As Zhao Weihua aptly concluded, “Only by jointly resisting unilateralism can we hope to achieve a stable and prosperous society.”
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Writer: YIN Zhenjie
Proofreader: WANG Jingyang
Editor: WANG Mengqi, LI Yijie
