KUALA LUMPUR: Asean and China must work more closely to align standards and deepen new forms of collaboration, particularly as digitalisation becomes the key determinant of economic competitiveness, says Datuk Chong Sin Woon.
The MCA secretary-general said digitalisation is “no longer a choice”, adding that the ability to innovate in areas such as artificial intelligence, fintech and data governance — while maintaining public trust — will determine which economies advance in the coming decade.
Chong noted that discussions throughout the Global Chinese Economic and Technology (GCET) Summit 2025 highlighted how economic strategy can no longer be divorced from geopolitical shifts, digital change or sustainability priorities.
“These are not parallel trends. They are interconnected forces that will shape the trajectory of Asean, China and the wider region,” he said at the summit’s closing session on Wednesday (Nov 19).
He said the panel sessions repeatedly underscored three overarching concerns. The first was how geopolitical realignments are reshaping economic planning, requiring countries to protect critical capacities without turning away from openness — a balance, he said, that demands stronger regional cooperation.
The second was the urgency of digital transformation, with Asean and China needing to accelerate coordination and harmonise standards to support smoother collaboration and cross-border innovation.
The third was the rise of sustainability as “the new growth currency”, with green project pipelines, ESG financing and climate-resilient infrastructure needing to move from ambition to implementation, especially for emerging markets already confronting the effects of climate change.
Chong said GCET must not remain a forum of ideas but evolve into a platform that links policy to execution.
He said a dedicated follow-up group should be set up to consolidate the summit’s recommendations into a clear policy brief, alongside a GCET road map within the next two to three months outlining potential pilot projects in fintech, green infrastructure and diaspora-driven investment.
He added that targeted sectoral matchmaking reports should also be produced to help drive concrete partnerships, MOUs, investor connections and cross-border ventures.
“These are modest and realistic steps that can help translate today’s insights into tomorrow’s programmes,” he said.
Chong thanked KSI, the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (Insap), MCA and partner organisations for their work in shaping what he described as a balanced and forward-looking agenda, adding that Malaysia as Asean Chair this year will continue to promote constructive engagement and regional stability.
He urged businesses to make full use of the networks established at the summit to strengthen supply chains, adopt more sustainable practices and explore regional opportunities, while calling on researchers and think tanks to keep their work anchored in policy realities and focused on actionable recommendations.
