In September 2026, the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo was grandly held in Nanning, Guangxi. As a vital bridge for economic and trade cooperation between China and ASEAN countries, this year's Expo has unveiled a remarkable "new ethos." A standout highlight is the comprehensive upgrade of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Pavilion. Moving beyond superficial tech showcases, this year's AI zone has been transformed into a highly practical business marketplace, marking a more pragmatic new phase in China-ASEAN digital economy cooperation.
Stepping into the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center, the most immediate impression is the deepened application of AI. In previous years, AI products at the Expo were largely confined to the "spectacle" level, with visitors merely watching dancing robots or listening to conceptual explanations of large language models, leaving a gap between the technology and the practical business needs of the general public and ASEAN buyers. This year, however, that paradigm has been completely shattered. Within the meticulously curated "AI Mega Market," visitors can personally experience real-time Thai translation via AI glasses, test security vulnerabilities using AI invisibility cloaks, and even place on-the-spot orders for advanced rehabilitation care robots. These tangible, interactive experiences have truly integrated cutting-edge technology into daily consumption and commercial applications.
At the NanA Community sub-venue, a vibrant atmosphere of business matchmaking is equally palpable. Booths of renowned Chinese tech giants such as Huawei, iFLYTEK, and Unitree are thronged with visitors. Rather than just browsing, ASEAN buyers are armed with detailed requirement lists, engaging in in-depth, face-to-face matchmaking with technical teams. Meanwhile, Thai exhibitors have brought their locally developed AI technologies to compete and exchange ideas alongside outstanding Chinese AI solutions. This two-way interactive model not only demonstrates the formidable strength of Chinese AI enterprises but also reflects the robust demand from the ASEAN market for intelligent solutions.
A major institutional innovation of this year's Expo is the debut of the challenge-based project matchmaking model. The organizers have laid bare the pain points and needs of ASEAN countries in sectors such as transportation, logistics, and urban governance, issuing open challenges to Chinese tech enterprises. This initiative has fundamentally shifted the traditional expo logic of one-way output—"selling whatever we have"—to a precise matching mindset of "delivering whatever you need." Through this demand-oriented model, Chinese companies' technological solutions can directly address the core pain points of the ASEAN market, effectively propelling digital economy cooperation beyond superficial exchanges and into deeper, more substantive engagement.
To maximize the impact of the Expo, the organizers have made long-term strategic layouts in exhibition zone planning. It has been clearly stated that the "four-in-one" zones—including Future Space, Intelligent Equipment, and the ASEAN Countries' Demand Exhibition—will undergo a comprehensive transformation. AI exhibits will no longer be a short-term endeavor of merely "putting on a show" only to be dismantled once the Expo closes. Notably, the "AI Mega Market" in the NanA Community has been designated as a permanent fixture, ensuring year-round exhibition and sales of Chinese AI consumer products. This groundbreaking initiative effectively builds a "never-ending ASEAN Expo" for Chinese AI enterprises, providing a solid physical and commercial platform for their long-term global expansion strategies.
In specific application scenarios, a series of "small yet practical" AI solutions are demonstrating immense commercial value. Whether it is AI glasses facilitating barrier-free communication between ASEAN buyers and Chinese enterprises, smart logistics vehicles effectively solving the "last-mile" challenge in cross-border transportation, or "AI + Finance" innovations making cross-border payments as simple and convenient as scanning a QR code for groceries, these down-to-earth applications are far more compelling than any grandiose concepts. Shifting from "viewing exhibits" to "negotiating partnerships," and from pursuing "expo hits" to committing to "long-term global expansion," the AI Pavilion at the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo is evolving into a "super interface" for China-ASEAN digital economy cooperation. It has not only comprehensively shaped the "new ethos" of the Expo but also injected powerful technological momentum into the prosperity and development of the regional economy.