The 2026 China-ASEAN Ministerial Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence was held in Nanning

The 2026 China-ASEAN Ministerial Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence was held on 17 September in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Under the theme "Jointly Discussing AI Governance, Building a Secure Future", representatives of AI authorities from China and ASEAN countries had thorough discussions on building cross‑border AI ethics and security governance frameworks and reinforcing digital‑sector security defenses. The meeting sought to reach regional consensus, establish cooperation mechanisms and deliver tangible results.

Wang Jingtao, Deputy Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, said at the meeting that China consistently acts as an active advocate and practitioner for global AI governance. China has rolled out public goods such as the AI Safety Governance Framework and the Ethics-Safety Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence Applications. He raised four suggestions: First, boost open source and openness to drive industrial innovation. Second, uphold inclusiveness to bridge the digital divide. Third, ensure safety and controllability, and jointly create a favorable environment. Fourth, strengthen multilateral cooperation to establish a just and reasonable governance system.

Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State for Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, said that AI governance requires regulators to communicate more and share experience. Singapore and China have set up a digital policy dialogue mechanism together. Singapore looks forward to deeper AI cooperation with all stakeholders next year, turning technological potential into economic momentum.

Thiranee Achalakul, Director of Thailand’s Big Data Institute, said Thailand has rolled out its flagship large language model project and established an AI Governance Practice Centre. Thailand intends to boost cooperation with China and other ASEAN nations on talent capacity building and data market design.

On the sidelines of the meeting, two institutions were inaugurated: the China-ASEAN Data Cooperation Committee under the World Data Organization and the China-ASEAN Academy of Artificial Intelligence. The conference also issued an initiative on AI ethics and security cooperation targeting ASEAN.