China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, a key gateway to Southeast Asia, has launched a major artificial intelligence (AI) initiative — the “AI Super League” — aimed at nurturing emerging talent and start-ups targeting ASEAN markets.
Unveiled on Saturday, the “AI for All” competition will run through September, featuring 17 thematic tracks including automotive, tourism, cross-border e-commerce, smart agriculture, and market regulation. The initiative is backed by the Guangxi regional government and simultaneously launched in eight cities: Nanning, Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur.
Guangxi, which borders Vietnam, has long played a strategic role in China-ASEAN relations. It has hosted the China-ASEAN Expo for 22 consecutive years, and ASEAN has remained Guangxi’s largest trading partner for 25 straight years. In 2024, bilateral trade between Guangxi and ASEAN hit 398 billion yuan (US$55.4 billion), up 17% year-on-year.
Start-up founders speak at the launch ceremony on Saturday.
Speaking at the launch event in Cyberport, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Sun Dong, highlighted the city’s AI strengths. “Hong Kong’s AI ecosystem is thriving, with over 1,000 AI enterprises supported by robust research capabilities. This competition aligns with our goal to advance AI as a core industry, accelerating economic transformation and regional integration with ASEAN.”
The ASEAN AI market is expected to grow to US$30 billion by 2030, with the technology projected to contribute 10% to 18% of the bloc’s GDP — particularly benefiting industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and energy, according to a May report by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia.
Hong Kong lawmaker Jesse Shang Hailong emphasized the region’s strategic approach: “To succeed in ASEAN, we must ‘go big, start small, and dig deep’ — the demand is there, especially in overlooked sectors. By combining Hong Kong’s global perspective with Guangxi’s local reach, we can unlock immense opportunities.”
Cyberport CEO Rocky Cheng noted that over 400 AI companies are currently based in Hong Kong, supported by the city’s largest supercomputing facility. More than 70 start-ups have already entered Southeast Asian markets, and the AI Super League now offers a new platform to deepen ties between Hong Kong, Guangxi, and ASEAN.
Chinese tech leaders are also expanding in the region. In April, Malaysia’s MyEG signed an agreement with Guangxi Beitou IT Innovation Technology Group to establish a China-ASEAN AI Lab in Malaysia. Notable participants in the initiative include AI firm DeepSeek, drone manufacturer DJI, Huawei Technologies, and Alibaba Group — the parent company of the South China Morning Post.
