The opening of the first China-ASEAN AI Summit and the China-ASEAN Information Port Global Partners Signing Ceremony is held in Nanning on Sept 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The opening of the first China-ASEAN AI Summit and the China-ASEAN Information Port Global Partners Signing Ceremony was held in Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Sept 9.

A total of 1,200 government leaders, enterprise elites, experts, and scholars in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) from many countries were invited to discuss the application development of AI computing, smart government, smart life tech, 5G technology, smart manufacturing, and urban management.

In addition to the summit, a free exhibition, a big data competition, and the signing ceremony were also carried out on Sept 9. An inspection trip for enterprises with cooperative intention to invest in Guangxi will start tomorrow.

A free exhibition of AI products is held in Nanning on Sept 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chen Wu, chairman of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said at the summit that Guangxi will promote AI technology cooperation, trade, investment, and industrial exchanges with ASEAN countries relying on the China-ASEAN Expo. It will accelerate the construction of infrastructure platforms, information sharing platforms, technical cooperation platforms, economic and trade service platform, as well as the humanities exchange platform for ASEAN countries with the support of China-ASEAN Information Port.

At present, Guangxi is committed to promoting the construction of digital Guangxi and the China-ASEAN Information Port, with a focus on digital government, digital economy, digital society, and digital infrastructure. During the 2018-2025 period, Guangxi will introduce hundreds of planned projects with a total investment of more than 100 billion yuan ($14.04 billion) to the China-ASEAN Information Port.

Chairat Porntipwarawet, Royal Thai consulate-general in Nanning, said that the summit will provide a platform for Thailand to promote the interconnection and cooperation between ASEAN and China in the field of AI, as well as provide new development opportunities for enhancing the well-being of both sides.

In addition, Guangxi will provide a number of high-quality projects with strong market demand and good development prospects to investment companies at the summit.

The signing ceremony at the first China-ASEAN AI Summit. [Photo provided by Ma Zhenyu to chinadaily.com.cn]