Guangxi FTZ strengthens global ties, creates new opportunities with ASEAN

The China (Guangxi) Pilot Free Trade Zone serves as a crucial connector, utilizing cross-border resource networks, tapping ASEAN's growth potential, and transforming its strategic location, institutional openness and inter-regional synergy into shared value for global enterprises.

This vision took concrete shape at its 2025 special promotion conference in Shanghai on Nov 5. It marked the sixth year the zone has harnessed the China International Import Expo as a platform to deepen international cooperation, drawing over 150 participants.

Among them were representatives from diplomatic missions, with delegates coming from countries including Germany, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Canada and Pakistan.

Also present were executives from more than 80 foreign enterprises, such as Middle East-based DP World, which provides end-to-end supply chain solutions, and agricultural trader and processor Louis Dreyfus North Asia.

At the conference, government officials shared in-depth insights into Guangxi's future collaboration paths, offering clear directions for the zone's deepened cooperation with global partners.

Lu Xinning, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional Committee and vice-chairperson of Guangxi, highlighted the zone's strong momentum in the AI sector.

Lu said Guangxi has set up a 10-billion-yuan ($1.4-billion) AI industry fund, which has already attracted technology firms from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

"We warmly welcome global partners to join us," Lu said, emphasizing efforts to develop mutually beneficial cross-border industrial and supply chains that serve not just ASEAN, but also broader global market needs.

Yang Yihang, deputy director-general of China Investment Promotion Agency, reaffirmed support for Guangxi FTZ. He said the agency will use its resource networks to back the zone's reforms in cross-border industries and resource allocation.

These efforts are meant to refine the business environment, making it more attractive and accessible to global investors from all regions.

Jonathan School, vice president of AHK Greater China, highlighted the strong alignment between Guangxi's industrial focus — including AI, new energy and high-end manufacturing — and the expertise of German enterprises.

"We look forward to facilitating in-depth connections between more German enterprises and Guangxi's opportunities," he said, stressing this alignment paves the way for targeted and fruitful cooperation.

The conference delivered tangible outcomes that benefit global partners. Two key lists were released to guide cooperation.

One list clarifies development paths for sectors like cross-border trade and new energy. These fields are especially important to enterprises from Europe, the United States and Asia alike. The other one focuses on ASEAN and neighboring markets, and helps global tech partners align their products with regional needs.

Agreements for a batch of cooperation projects were signed at the event, encompassing healthcare, AI and smart home sectors. These projects will push advance an AI development model characterized by being "researched in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, assembled in Guangxi, and applied to ASEAN".

This mode lets innovation from China's major tech hubs be integrated in Guangxi, then deployed to serve ASEAN's market demands, creating a smooth chain for technology, production and application.

Now in its sixth year, Guangxi FTZ's growth tells a compelling story. Over 120,000 new enterprises have registered here, and core economic indicators have maintained double-digit annual growth.

Following the conference, Guangxi FTZ will arrange visits to AI enterprises in Shanghai, many of which maintain international partnerships.

This step aims to deepen collaboration, further solidifying the zone's role as a platform that weaves global ties and delivers tangible opportunities.