The 2026 ASEAN-China (Guangdong) Trade Promotion and Supply Chain Cooperation Mechanism Exchange Conference opened in Guangzhou on July 16. The event underscores the deepening economic integration between Guangdong and Southeast Asia, with bilateral trade reaching 1.53 trillion yuan in 2025—a robust 5.8% year-on-year increase.
During the conference, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee signed new cooperation memorandums with top business federations from Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand.
Vast untapped cooperation potential
Lai Jiun Jye, Vice President of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia, highlighted electric vehicles, batteries, new energy, and new materials as key areas for cooperation.
He added that Malaysia is undergoing a transformation into an advanced economy, creating huge demand for industrial upgrades. "China is progressing so fast in technology. We need good mentors to help raise the standards of our SMEs."
Mya Han, Vice President of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, highlighted artificial intelligence and green energy as core cooperative directions for Myanmar and Guangdong.
"Myanmar also faces energy shortages, especially electricity shortages. We can have some cooperation on green energy like solar power and EV batteries, so that's a huge market. Our two countries can develop this sector together," he said.
Practical paths proposed to advance in-depth cooperation
Veerachai Monsintorn, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries and Chairman of the Thai-Chinese Economic and Investment Committee, proposed three practical strategies to deepen Guangdong-ASEAN cooperation.
He suggested enhancing market connectivity through enterprise exchanges and advancing supply chain integration, encouraging Guangdong's industries to take Thailand as a base to expand across ASEAN. "We also need to strengthen technology and industry exchanges and promote cooperation in AI, advanced manufacturing, and the digital economy to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises," he added.
Chinese tech enterprises are also actively building bridges for bilateral industrial matchmaking. "We also hope to help build connections between China and ASEAN, so that more ASEAN companies and chambers of commerce can better understand China's industrial clusters," introduced Huang Junqiang, co-founder of Tungee.
To lower barriers to cooperation, Tungee has built a corporate mapping system to facilitate precise matchmaking. "We can help them better understand, for example, the industrial clusters that exist in Guangdong, as well as which companies have production capabilities and distribution capabilities, so that they can find the right partners in China," Huang explained.
Reporter | Chen Jinxia
Video & Poster & Photo | Guo Hongda
