China and Laos Build AI Innovation Cooperation Center

On February 23, 2025, China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (廣西壯族自治區) and Laos signed an agreement in Vientiane to establish the China-Laos Artificial Intelligence Innovation Cooperation Center (中國—老撾人工智能創新合作中心), marking the first AI cooperation platform between China and an ASEAN nation. People’s Daily reported that the initiative aims to “systematically enhance Laos’ foundational capabilities in the intelligent era” while supporting development across various sectors. The project progressed rapidly from negotiation to signing, which Chinese officials characterize as demonstrating both countries’ commitment to deepening cooperation in intelligent technologies. The center implements China’s AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All (人工智能能力建設普惠計劃), announced by Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) in September 2024 to assist developing countries with AI development. Guangxi representatives outlined plans to establish similar centers throughout ASEAN countries to help develop “independent and controllable AI sovereignty models” (自主可控的人工智能主權大模型). The project responds to the China-ASEAN Joint Statement on Facilitating Cooperation in Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Ecosystem adopted in 2024.