China and ASEAN to deepen cooperation in AI, digital security

The 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Friday, charting a roadmap for deeper digital collaboration between China and ASEAN over the next five years in areas including artificial intelligence, digital security and digital economy.

Specifically, the China-ASEAN digital academy and the China-ASEAN AI industry innovation center will be established in 2026, according to the meeting.

Zhang Yunming, vice-minister of industry and information technology of China, said at the meeting that under the strategic guidance of leaders from both sides, China and ASEAN have achieved substantial outcomes in digital infrastructure, digital transformation, and digital governance.

He called for enhanced synergy between China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for the digital sector and the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2030.

"We should jointly build an open and mutually beneficial digital ecosystem, strengthen digital talent development and capacity building, and promote the benevolent and inclusive application of artificial intelligence, enabling digital technologies to better empower economic and social growth," Zhang said.

ASEAN ministers at the meeting expressed appreciation for China's long-term support to their digital transformation and willingness to expand practical digital cooperation, aiming to elevate the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

The meeting adopted the China-ASEAN plan on sustainable and inclusive digital ecosystem cooperation (2026-30), which outlines closer collaboration in policy dialogue, strategic alignment, digital infrastructure, and innovative applications of emerging digital technologies over the next five years.

Also approved was the 2026 China-ASEAN digital cooperation plan, which includes establishing the China-ASEAN digital academy and the China-ASEAN AI industry innovation center within the year. Both sides will also enhance exchanges in digital and ICT infrastructure, open-source technologies, and digital security.