On 23 July 2024, the 1st South and Southeast Asia Digital Cooperation Initiative Matchmaking Conference and South and Southeast Asia Digital Cooperation Promotion Conference were held during the China-South Asia Expo in Kunming of Yunnan Province. Governor Wang Yubo of the People’s Government of Yunnan Province, Chief Engineer Zhao Zhiguo of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, Deputy Minister Xayluexa Inseexiengmay of Technology and Communication of the Lao PDR, and Deputy Minister Lu Mon of Transport and Communication of Myanmar attended and addressed the Conference. Director Sun Yi of General Affairs and Coordination of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) delivered remarks on behalf of Secretary General Shi Zhongjun. Around 400 representatives from governments and enterprises in China, Southeast and South Asian countries were present. 

Governor Wang Yubo shared Yunnan’s efforts and latest achievements in implementing “Digital China” strategy and promoting digital transformation, stressed Yunnan’s willingness to collaborate with all counterparts to enhance coordination of digital policies, reduce digital trade barriers, jointly develop digital infrastructure, improve the accessibility of digital services, and promote the evolution of digital ecosystem. Wang also encouraged cooperation in such areas as e-commerce, mobile payments, smart cities, tele-medicare and digital education, so as to serve all-round regional development through application of digital technologies. Chief Engineer Zhao Zhiguo introduced China’s leapfrog progress in digital infrastructure development, innovation of digital technology, and digital industry ecosystem enrichment in recent years. He also hailed Yunnan for building future digital cooperation mechanisms with South Asian and Southeast Asian countries, aligning policies and strengthening consensus. 

Deputy Minister Xayluexa spoke highly of the positive progress achieved in Belt and Road cooperation benefiting Laos’ socio-economic development. He expressed Laos’ willingness to actively cooperate with China in advancing digital economic cooperation and transforming Laos from a land-locked country to a land-linked country. Deputy Minister Lu Mon acknowledged the sustained close cooperation between Myanmar and China, with Yunnan Province in particular. He noted that the Chinese high-tech companies operating in Myanmar have helped enhance Myanmar’s digital capabilities. Lu Mon expressed his sincere hope for continued cooperation with China and called for joint efforts to well manage cyber-security, reduce data security risks, establish and improve regional digital governance rules.

Director Sun Yi acknowledged that the digital cooperation between China and Southeast and South Asian countries has yielded fruits, and the consensus on strengthening digital cooperation continues to be consolidated. He stated that China stays committed to deepening reform in an all-round manner, pressing ahead with its efforts in achieving modernization, and intensively enhancing high-quality socialist market economy, which will definitely provide stronger institutional guarantees for China to advance its digital economy and carry out multifaceted cooperation with Southeast and South Asian neighbors. He also stressed that Yunnan is well positioned to further leverage its geographical advantages to establish a new pattern of digital connectivity between China and Southeast and South Asia. The ACC will continue to support high-quality advancement of digital cooperation between China’s local provinces and neighboring countries.

At the Conference, the participants witnessed the signing of the cooperation agreements on the Joint Construction of Major Channels with Provinces(Cities) Along the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and Key International Connectivity Projects by Domestic and Foreign Basic Telecommunication Operators. The construction of South and Southeast Asia digital cooperation promotion center was also launched on the same occasion.