At the China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, China’s Guangxi LiuGong Machinery Co., Ltd. showcased its cutting-edge intelligent loader, a driverless machine operated via remote control, catering to the demands of mining and construction companies in ASEAN nations. This loader exemplifies LiuGong’s focus on electrification, digitization, and interconnectivity in construction machinery, a strategy that has driven the company’s annual double-digit growth in research and development (R&D).
LiuGong’s display of eight electric machines, including loaders, excavators, and forklifts, underscores the growing appeal of smart and environmentally friendly Chinese products in the ASEAN market. The China-ASEAN partnership has been thriving, with bilateral trade soaring to 6.41 trillion yuan ($124.6 billion) in 2023, growing at an average annual rate of 11% over the past 15 years.
The expo also saw 109 agreements signed in sectors like new energy and advanced manufacturing, reflecting China and ASEAN’s deepening cooperation in technology and sustainability. ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn emphasized that joint ventures in areas such as artificial intelligence and clean energy are key to both regions’ sustainable development goals.
The green energy transition is particularly attractive to exhibitors like Envision Group, which has been collaborating with Vietnam since 2015 on wind turbine generators. Envision is eager to expand its renewable energy operations across ASEAN, including projects in energy storage and wind turbines. Wu Jiakun, a representative of the company, sees the expo as a valuable opportunity to build partnerships and accelerate ASEAN’s green development goals.
China’s contributions to renewable energy projects in ASEAN, such as the hydro-floating solar hybrid project in Thailand’s Sirindhorn Reservoir, further demonstrate the country’s commitment to supporting the region’s low-carbon growth. China Energy Engineering Corporation, responsible for this project, views ASEAN as a key market for expanding its international clean energy business.
With both Chinese and ASEAN economies deeply intertwined, bilateral cooperation on technological innovation and sustainable development holds immense potential. As China and ASEAN continue exploring new growth engines, emerging industries like renewable energy and smart technologies are becoming central to this expanding partnership, setting the stage for a greener future.