On October 18th, the “2024 Forum on Engineering Innovation and Development Towards ASEAN” took place in Nanning, Guangxi. The event attracted over 150 experts, scholars, and representatives from various government agencies, think tanks, universities, academic societies, and enterprises from China and ASEAN countries like Malaysia and Thailand. They gathered to discuss the theme “Collaborative Innovation for New Development Opportunities.”

During the opening remarks, Huang Junhua, Vice Chairman of the Guangxi Political Consultative Conference and President of the Guangxi Scientific and Technological Association, emphasized the importance of enhancing regional cooperation for green and low-carbon development. He called for improved resource sharing in engineering and technological innovation and proposed the establishment of a China-ASEAN platform for collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions. Huang encouraged participants to explore sustainable cooperation mechanisms that leverage new ideas and technologies to facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships and contribute significantly to the sustainable development of various industries.

You Fangda, President of the ASEAN Engineering and Technology Institute, highlighted Guangxi’s role as a vital cooperation window between China and ASEAN. He expressed his hope to see more collaborative outcomes in the region and urged both China and ASEAN to work together on regional prosperity and development by exploring new technologies, methodologies, and applications to advance engineering and technology.

Wang Shuangfei, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a professor at Guangxi University, stressed the need for stronger innovation leadership and the conversion of old and new growth drivers. He advocated for deeper collaboration in engineering research, technology enhancement, and talent exchange, aiming to cultivate high-quality professionals equipped with international perspectives and innovative abilities. Wang called for cooperative efforts that strengthen interconnections and mutual benefits, ultimately building a closer community of shared destiny.

The forum, jointly organized by the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Science and Technology Association and the ASEAN Engineering and Technology Institute, aims to create an innovative platform for technological exchanges between China and ASEAN countries, further deepening applied cooperation in engineering, information, and energy sectors.

Additionally, the opening ceremony featured the signing of an agreement for the Guangxi Overseas Talent Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance. This alliance, formed by 12 organizations including Guangxi Science and Technology Association and the Hong Kong Society of Metrology and Control, aims to attract overseas talents to contribute to Guangxi’s high-quality economic and social development through a high-level innovation and entrepreneurship service platform.

Throughout the forum, two sub-forums were also held: the “Artificial Intelligence +” forum focusing on the new ecosystem of industry-academia-research integration, and an academic discussion on energy technology revolutions promoting green and low-carbon transitions, where experts engaged in in-depth discussions based on their respective research areas.