On 12 September 2025, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) co-hosted the ASEAN-China AI-Enabled Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Industry Investment Development Conference in Nanning of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Vice Chairperson Sui Guohua of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ACC, Deputy Minister Ali Murtopo Simbolon of Indonesia Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs attended and gave remarks at the opening ceremony. Director Li Ze of the Market Regulation Bureau of Guangxi moderated the Conference. As an important event under the framework of the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo, the Conference attracted more than 300 representatives from government agencies, chambers of commerce and enterprises from both ASEAN Member States (AMS) and China for in-depth discussion on strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence and healthcare industry.

Secretary General Shi Zhongjun stated that as emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence, are profoundly reshaping global industries, the integration of AI’s power with people's life is inevitable. ASEAN and China have obvious advantages and broad prospects for cooperation in AI-empowered healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Both sides can work closer to frame the future direction of the industrial development, seize new opportunities, and solve common challenges faced by both sides.

Vice Chairperson Sui Guohua stressed that Guangxi serves as China’s frontier for opening up and cooperation with ASEAN, possessing unique geographical advantages and resource endowment in promoting bilateral healthcare cooperation. Both sides are keen to closely cooperate in areas such as technological research and development, mutual recognition of standards and talent cultivation, optimize communication channels, elevate Guangxi to a high and solid ground for healthcare industry cooperation between China and ASEAN. 

The high-level AMS government delegates all reaffirmed their expectation of enhanced ASEAN-China cooperation of AI-empowered healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. They are confident that the combination of China’s advanced digital and medical technologies with the vast market of ASEAN will further promote the improvement and upgrading of industrial cooperation between the two sides, so as to create a brighter future for the well-being of the peoples in this region.

A series of cooperation initiatives were signed at the Conference to strengthen ASEAN-China collaborations in various areas including artificial intelligence, medical equipment, traditional Chinese medicine, and pharmaceutical logistics.

On the afternoon of 11 September, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun and the ASEAN delegates held a meeting with Vice Chairperson Lu Xinning of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The two sides exchanged views on promoting cooperation between ASEAN and China in various fields. He also met with Deputy Minister Ali Murtopo Simbolon of Indonesia Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs to discuss cooperation in such fields as medical training and talent exchange between Indonesia and China.