On September 15 2025, the "2025 China (Guangxi) - ASEAN Vocational Education Development and Cooperation Conference", hosted by the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, organized by the Department of Education of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region , and supported by the ASEAN-China Centre, was held in Nanning. With the theme “Promoting Al Empowerment and Building a Digital Foundation together for Vocational Education”, the conference aimed to create a comprehensive exchange and cooperation platform integrating academic communication, achievement display, cooperation negotiation, and project matching, thereby to promote and advance the vocational education exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN to a new stage of high-quality development. Shi Zhongjun, Secretary General of ASEAN-China Centre, Chea Kosal, Secretary of State of Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training of Cambodia, Ojat Darojat, Deputy Minister of Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs of Indonesia, Samlane Phankhavong, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos, Zaw Myint, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Education of Myanmar and Li Zhi, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Vocational and Adult Education, Ministry of Education of China delivered opening speeches. 

Shi Zhongjun noted that ASEAN-China cooperation in vocational education has become a crucial bond connecting economic growth, talent cultivation, and industrial transformation. In this context, promoting AI empowerment and jointly building a digital foundation are of great importance for advancing vocational education in the region. He stated that the ACC will work earnestly to deepen and advance vocational education cooperation between ASEAN and China, laying a solid foundation for building a closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future.

Representatives from ASEAN countries expressed hope that both sides would continue to strengthen cooperation by integrating artificial intelligence into vocational curricula, focusing on the establishment of universal training standards, enhancing teacher development, curriculum design and construction of educational resources. They also emphasized the need to promote the alignment of skills innovation with industry demands, thereby achieving sustainable and shared prosperity. Li Zhi stated that China would further strengthen strategic collaboration with ASEAN education authorities to facilitate broader, deeper, and higher-level vocational education exchanges and cooperation, leveraging the significant role of vocational education in promoting regional peace, stability, and prosperous development. 

The Opening Ceremony announced the AI-Empowered China-ASEAN Modern Craftsmanship Institute Construction Program, the “Hundred-Thousand-Ten Thousand” AI Talent Development Project towards ASEAN, the International Competition of “Chinese + Vocational Skill in Logistics and Supply Chain” and the First Invitation Tournament Facing Colleges in ASEAN Countries. Representatives from vocational institutions in China and ASEAN countries signed project cooperation agreements during the event.