Kuala Lumpur – On July 30, the 2026 Land-Sea Economic Forum was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, bringing together nearly 200 representatives from government, business, finance, think tanks and media across China and Malaysia.

Under the theme "Expanding the Silk Road Together: A New AI+ International Cooperation Paradigm," participants explored AI-powered industrial upgrading, cross-border investment, and enterprise globalization. Multiple media outlets, including Xinhua News Agency, Sin Chew Daily, and Together Media, covered the forum.

The 2026 Land-Sea Economic Forum brought together representatives from government, business, finance, think tanks and media. (Photo/WCICO)

Guided by the Information Office of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government and organized by the Western China International Communication Organization (WCICO), the forum focused on AI cooperation and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) to support Chinese enterprises' global expansion and deepen China-ASEAN ties across industrial, technological, financial, and cultural fields.

Building a technology and trade corridor with Western China

The Honorable Senator Datuk Nur Jazlan bin Mohamed, Deputy President of Senate in the Parliament of Malaysia, emphasized that Malaysia and Western China are jointly developing a tech and trade corridor as Asian commerce is reshaped by physical connectivity and digital technology. The ILSTC has cut transit times between Western China and Southeast Asian ports from weeks to days, while AI improves logistics, customs clearance, compliance and capital allocation.

The Honorable Senator Datuk Nur Jazlan bin Mohamed, Deputy President of Senate in the Parliament of Malaysia, delivers remarks. (Photo/WCICO)

Turning the corridor's growing advantages and technological capabilities into tangible cooperation opportunities for companies is precisely why WCICO created the forum.

Sang Jian, Deputy General Manager of WCICO, noted that this year marks the 52nd anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic relations and the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations. He expressed hope that the forum would connect enterprises, experts, and partner institutions, to help Western Chinese companies better understand the ASEAN market while showcasing Chongqing's industrial strengths.

Through the Bridging News application and its overseas distribution matrix, WCICO will continue to track industrial dynamics and provide continuous business matchmaking support for enterprises on both sides.

Sang Jian, Deputy General Manager of WCICO, delivers remarks. (Photo/WCICO)

Going global with AI: Assess risks, integrate locally

Focusing on how "AI+" supports industrial cooperation, several guest speakers shared insights across three dimensions: the global economy, industrial policy, and financial infrastructure.

Professor Chee Seng Chan from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology at Universiti Malaya examined global economic trends in the AI era and the far-reaching changes AI brings to global industry and international cooperation. He stated that although AI has entered everyday life and is augmenting workers across industries, localization remains critical to generate further economic value.

Professor Chee Seng Chan, from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology at Universiti Malaya, delivers a keynote speech. (Photo/WCICO)

Dato' Andrew Goh Boon Kim, Deputy President of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing, outlined practical ways for "AI+" to support overseas expansion.

While the ILSTC provides robust physical connectivity, he pointed out that infrastructure alone is insufficient; businesses also need to determine where delivery delays might occur and how supply chain disruptions will impact production and customer orders, and this is exactly where AI can help, by improving supply chain visibility, predicting delivery delays, and strengthening operational resilience.

Dato' Andrew Goh Boon Kim, Deputy President of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing, delivers a keynote speech. (Photo/WCICO)

Encik Ir. Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad, Vice President of the Digital Adoption Division at the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, highlighted the role of digital payments and cross-border settlement systems in regional cooperation. Noting the recent launch of "Malaysia AI," he welcomed more Chinese companies to use the country as an ASEAN hub, pointing to broad cooperation prospects in smart manufacturing, green energy, and cross-border finance.

Encik Ir. Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad, Vice President of the Digital Adoption Division at the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, delivers a keynote speech. (Photo/WCICO)

From selling into ASEAN to putting down roots

Beyond expert dialogue, the forum turned cooperation into concrete projects. WCICO and the Center for Advanced Studies & Research unveiled the Bridging News Kuala Lumpur Station. Focusing on international communication, business information, and think-tank research, the station will serve as an exchange and cooperation platform between Western China and ASEAN.

WCICO and the Center for Advanced Studies & Research launched the Bridging News Kuala Lumpur Station. (Photo/WCICO)

The two sides also jointly released a report titled "Hard Connectivity Built, Soft Connectivity Pending: A Dual-Landing Strategy for Chongqing and Malaysia to Jointly Build the ASEAN Market".

Presenting the findings, Senior Researcher Chang Peng Kee of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia stated that the ILSTC's maturity has shifted the focus of regional cooperation from mere connectivity to effective localization. "We do not land on Malaysia; we take root with it," Chang said, emphasizing collaboration across brand building, cultural integration, and digital ecosystems.

Chang Peng Kee, Senior Researcher at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, presents and explains the report. (Photo/WCICO)

Growing together with local ecosystems

During roundtable sessions, participants addressed the automotive sector's transition from simple vehicle exports to building investable local supply chains, AI in digital content ecosystems, and sustainable local compliance.

Attendees agreed that enterprise global expansion requires strengthening supply chain synergy, technological innovation, local partnerships, and long-term brand building to transition from market entry to putting down roots.

Socio-Economic Research Centre Executive Director Lee Heng Guie stated that Chinese companies investing in Malaysia should actively integrate into local supply chains and cultivate local suppliers rather than treating the country solely as a manufacturing base. Building long-term partnerships while creating jobs and facilitating technology transfer enables shared prosperity and long-term success.

Three roundtable discussions were held at the forum, covering a range of topics on corporate globalization and regional cooperation. (Photo/WCICO)

Based in Chongqing and oriented toward ASEAN, the 2026 Land-Sea Economic Forum aims to serve as an internationally influential platform, driving mutually beneficial trade, technological, and cultural cooperation between China and Southeast Asia.