ASEAN MUST SEIZE BRI, AI MOMENTUM TO DEEPEN ECONOMIC SYNERGY WITH CHINA

By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid and Norsyafawati Ab Wahab

KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Bernama) -- ASEAN countries must take proactive steps to leverage China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and technological advancements, especially in artificial intelligence (AI), to deepen regional integration, catalyse innovation and strengthen long-term economic competitiveness.

Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia Pacific of Malaysia’s executive director, Ong Chongyi, said China’s infrastructure-led approach has already transformed connectivity in parts of ASEAN, notably with the China-Laos high-speed rail that turned Laos from a landlocked nation into a strategic logistics hub. 

“The BRI helped overcome previous limitations in technology and financing, and now we are seeing large-scale economic zones thrive in areas that were once underdeveloped,” he said during a panelist discussion titled “Building ASEAN-China Super-sized Markets Together” at the ASEAN-China Media and Think Tank Forum, here on Friday.

In Malaysia, early BRI projects such as the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) and East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) have created jobs, improved logistics, and attracted investment to the East Coast region. 

“This is just the beginning. The growth potential along the ECRL corridor, set to be completed in 2027, is enormous,” Ong added.

From the policy angle, Ong – a Malaysian economic official deeply involved in bilateral ties – highlighted how the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and subsequent cooperation programmes have shifted investment patterns. 

“Before 2009, Malaysian investment in China far outweighed China’s in Malaysia.

“That trend reversed after the 2011 cooperation pact and President Xi Jinping’s 2013 visit, which sparked high-quality inflows into key sectors like logistics, technology and automotive,” he said.

Meanwhile, chairman of Bioeconomy Corporation and Advisor for Centre of Regional Strategic Studies, Lee Boon Chye, said there is an urgent need for ASEAN to tap into China’s growing strength in artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. 

He noted that China has filed over 300,000 AI-related patents in 2024 – more than the rest of the world combined. 

Lee urged ASEAN countries to seize this moment by forging stronger research ties and recognising Chinese tech standards to fast-track innovation transfer.

“In the past, our brightest minds went West for PhDs and research. 

“Now, with Western restrictions increasing, it’s time to reverse the flow and look East,” he said.

Lee also proposed for China to open more opportunities for research and development collaboration and scholarships for ASEAN researchers.

The forum was opened by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof earlier today, with Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Xinhua News Agency’s Editor-in-Chief Lyu Yansong among those present.

Also in attendance were Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Secretary-General of the Communications Ministry Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Bernama’s Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama’s Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Bernama’s Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.

Jointly organised by Bernama and Xinhua News Agency under the theme ‘Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation’, the event drew over 200 participants – including influential media leaders, representatives, senior government officials and experts from across the ASEAN region and China – to deepen engagement in the ever-evolving media landscape.

-- BERNAMA