China-ASEAN forum explores women's development in AI era

The 2025 Exchange and Cooperation Forum on Women's Development with ASEAN opened in Nanning, Guangxi, on July 16. It brought together delegates from women's organizations in China, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and other ASEAN countries to discuss opportunities and challenges for women in the AI era.

Hosted by the Women's Federation of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, and supported by local science and overseas Chinese associations, the forum titled "Empowerment, Sharing, Innovation: AI and Women's Development" aimed to enhance regional collaboration. 

A senior official from the All-China Women's Federation expressed their willingness to strengthen scientific and technological innovation collaboration with ASEAN partners, uniting women's insights for the China-ASEAN community.

ASEAN representatives highlighted AI's potential to improve women's involvement in sectors like education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. They praised current collaborations with China and expressed hopes to broaden these initiatives to include digital literacy and beyond. An official from ASEAN emphasized the importance of empowering women to be tech designers, not just users.

During the forum, the Guangxi women's federation signed cooperation agreements with counterparts in Laos and Myanmar to enhance partnerships in skills development and the digital economy.