Can Asean leverage China’s Global Civilisation Initiative to boost green economic transition?

SOUTH-EAST Asia is at a crossroads. As the region’s economies continue to grow, the impact of climate change, such as rising sea levels, extreme heat and destructive floods, is becoming more pronounced, threatening both livelihoods and long-term prosperity.

For the 11 nations of Asean, the urgent challenge is to sustain economic momentum while making a decisive shift toward a green economy.

In this context, China’s Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI), launched in 2023, emerges as a timely opportunity.

While the GCI may sound abstract, its focus on cultural exchange, mutual respect and sustainable development could offer Asean new tools to accelerate its green transition, if approached thoughtfully and strategically.

A new diplomatic approach: Understanding the GCI

The GCI marks a shift in China’s diplomatic approach. Unlike the infrastructure-heavy Belt and Road Initiative, the GCI is about building trust through dialogue, sharing ideas and learning from one another’s traditions.

It aims to foster global cooperation based on civilisational pluralism and shared values, principles that resonate strongly with Asean’s own ethos of unity in diversity.

For Asean, this opens up a platform not only to deepen ties with China but also to showcase the region’s own environmental wisdom and green ambitions.

According to the Asean State of Climate Change Report 2023 and 2024, the region now accounts for over 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with fossil fuel consumption and land use change as major contributors.

While progress has been made, the share of renewables in electricity rose to 26% in 2024, led by hydropower in Laos and Vietnam. Fossil fuels still dominate, and emissions from the power sector grew by over 6% in 2023.

In response, Asean has introduced ambitious targets (23% renewables in primary energy by 2025), launched a sustainable finance taxonomy in 2023, and adopted a coordinated Climate Change Strategic Action Plan for 2025-2030.

However, persistent challenges such as fossil fuel subsidies, insufficient grid infrastructure and climate-induced vulnerability in cities like Jakarta and Manila underscore the need for accelerated implementation, investment and regional cooperation to translate policy commitments into tangible, sustainable growth and resilience.

Cultural exchange: Building shared values for sustainability

China’s GCI can help Asean build on this progress in several ways. First, it encourages cultural and educational exchanges that can make sustainability a shared value.

In 2024, Asean-China forums included discussions on traditional environmental practices, helping to shape both public attitudes and policy.

These forums have highlighted how indigenous knowledge, such as mangrove conservation in Malaysia or rice terrace management in the Philippines, can be integrated into modern sustainability strategies.

Such exchanges not only foster mutual understanding but also help local communities feel ownership of the green transition, making climate action more effective and enduring.

Knowledge sharing and technology transfer

Second, the GCI notes that in 2024, China added record amounts of both solar (277 gigawatts) and wind (80 gigawatts) capacity.

Together, these sources now supply over a quarter of China’s electricity. By early 2025, China’s combined solar and wind installations not only surpassed its coal capacity but also reached 44% of the world’s total, more than the European Union (EU), United States and India combined.

Under the GCI, Chinese experts are collaborating with Asean partners on clean energy, smart cities and pollution control, while thousands of Asean students are now studying green technology in China.

This transfer of expertise is already bearing fruit: in Vietnam, for example, partnerships with Chinese firms have helped expand solar power capacity; while in Thailand, Chinese companies are working with local universities to advance electric vehicle research and development.

These collaborations are not just about technology; they are about building the human capital needed for a sustainable future.

Sustainable investment and green innovation

Third, the GCI complements existing economic initiatives by prioritising sustainable investment. In 2024, more than US$5bil (RM20.83bil) in new Chinese-backed projects in Asean were classified as green, including solar parks in Indonesia and electric vehicle factories in Thailand.

Pilot projects are also underway to make supply chains for electronics and agriculture more environmentally friendly.

In Malaysia, for instance, a joint Asean-China project is testing blockchain technology to trace sustainably sourced palm oil, aiming to reduce deforestation and improve market access for local farmers.

Meanwhile, new innovation hubs in Singapore and Malaysia are bringing together young entrepreneurs from Asean and China to develop clean technology solutions, from water purification to waste recycling.

These efforts are helping to create new jobs and business opportunities, proving that the green transition can be a driver of inclusive growth.

Navigating risks and challenges

However, these opportunities come with real risks. Geopolitically, Asean must balance closer engagement with China against its relationships with other major partners, including the United States, the EU and Japan.

This balancing act is not always easy, especially as competition for influence in the region intensifies. There are also concerns about debt, as some past Chinese infrastructure projects have left countries with heavy financial burdens.

New "green" investments must be transparent, accountable, and truly sustainable, with clear standards and independent monitoring.

Culturally, the GCI’s success depends on genuine mutual respect, and Asean must ensure its own voices and traditions are not overshadowed by external narratives.

The region’s diversity is its strength, and any partnership must be built on equal footing.

Making the most of the GCI

To make the most of the GCI, Asean should coordinate its approach at the regional level, setting clear green priorities and speaking with one voice in GCI forums.

It should invite civil society, businesses and local communities to participate in GCI projects, ensuring that initiatives are inclusive and grounded in local realities.

Transparency must be non-negotiable, with rigorous standards and monitoring for all green investments.

Expanding joint research and training programmes with China, particularly in renewable energy and climate adaptation, will also help build local expertise and resilience.

By leveraging the GCI’s diplomatic channels, knowledge-sharing platforms and investment flows, Asean can address its sustainability challenges while strengthening regional influence.

Dr Lin Woon Leong is an Associate Professor at Taylor’s University, Taylor’s Business School. The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own.

The SEARCH Scholar Series is a social responsibility programme jointly organised by the South-East Asia Research Centre for Humanities (SEARCH) and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT).