CSA Expo pushes ahead regional cooperation in digital economy

Robotic doggies tumble with funny moves at the manufacturing pavilion of the ongoing 8th China-South Asia Exposition (CSA Expo) in central Yunnan’s Kunming city.

On July 23, the South and Southeast Asia Digital Cooperation Initiative Matchmaking Conference opened as a major sideline event of this year’s CSA Expo. With the theme of "Joining Hands for Digital Cooperation and Sharing Digital Benefits Together”, the conference was attended by regional dignitaries, including a former vice prime minister of Thailand, a vice minister of technology and communication of Laos, and a former Bangladeshi ambassador to China.

Wang Yubo, deputy secretary of Yunnan Party committee and governor, attended the conference opening and delivered a speech, saying that Yunnan is implementing the Digital China initiative that features digital industrialization, industrial digitalization, and digital governance.

Citing the just-concluded Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Wang added Yunnan is willing to work with the south-southeast Asian neighbors in jointly making regional digital policies, building up digital infrastructures and developing digital industries, so as to make the regions an example for the "Digital Silk Road" initiative.

Yunnan governor Wang Yubo speaks at the South and Southeast Asia Digital Cooperation Initiative Matchmaking Conference on July 23.

"Over the years, the CSA Expo Expo has made digital economy highlighted in its exhibition pavilions," said Zar Chi Thant Thant Win, a master student of public administration at the Beijing-based University of International Business and Economic.

As a regular visitor to the expo, Win thinks that in the era of digital economy, it is the cornerstone of regional cooperation to strengthen the construction of digital infrastructure. “China is experienced in building high-speed Internet, data centers and telecom systems, which is worth learning by southeast Asian countries such as Myanmar,” said Win.

While studying in China, Win noticed that Alipay and WeChat pay have greatly facilitated people's daily life in China, but most folks in Myanmar still use cash in consumption. Win added that as smart phones are increasingly popular, it’s high time that Myanmar and China should be linked up by a cross-border digital payment. This will help businesses in the two countries to bridge the digital divide.

8th CSA expo visitors stop at the low-altitude economy exhibition area in the manufacturing pavilion.

Wang Fei, chief representative of the Beijing office of Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said digitalization has boosted the economic and social development of Southeast Asian countries at an unprecedented speed, and Laos has actively embraced the digital trend. "Digital cooperation with China, especially with Yunnan, will contribute to the digitalization of Lao industries," said Wang, citing the Lao Newpay as a case.

Wang recalled that the Lao Newpay system debuted at the 6th CSA Expo and signed a cooperative agreement with Fudian Bank at the 7th CSA Expo. At this year’s CSA expo, the Lao digital payment system is promoting its China-Laos trade facilitation services to cross-border traders, making itself a witness of the deepening digital cooperation between the two countries.

Mengdavid Thong, a researcher at the Asian Vision Institute in Cambodia, said Cambodia regards digital technology as a key driving force of socioeconomic development. “At present, Cambodia is forging a digital government, a digital economy and a digital society, believing that digital technologies will create a new engine for economic growth.”

8th CSA expo visitors stop to watch a coffee robot in the manufacturing pavilion.

In Thong's view, China and other international partners can help Cambodia develop new digital technologies such as AI, big data, cloud computing and 5G. While helping Cambodia in digital infrastructure, digital skills training and safe digital networks, the cooperation between the Cambodian government and these international partners will enhance the resilience of Cambodian digital economy.

Muhamad Akmal Abdul Wahab, Malaysian consul general in Kunming, said that digital technology is dynamic, changing with each passing day. Living in the digital age, one should actively embrace new consumption patterns such as digital payment. "We must constantly adapt to the needs of the new era. China is highly developed in digital technology, and we need to learn from China," said Wahab, citing the digital conference at the 8th CSA Expo.

Nalika Kodikara, minister-counsellor for commercial affairs of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in China, said digital economy is a successful business development model and it is a byproduct of the integration of live streaming sales and e-commerce in the digital age. "China consumers love Sri Lankan jewelry, Ceylon tea and traditional handicrafts. Through the expo, more Chinese consumers will know about our Sri Lankan quality goods," she observed.

8th CSA expo visitors stop to watch a robot in the manufacturing pavilion.

Reporting Chen Xiaobo, Zhang Yin, Li Chenghan, Li Zha, Yao Chengcheng, Zhang Yinglin and Mo Yingyi; Trans-editing by Wang Shixue