Asean hopes to tap Greater Bay Area’s tech skills with closer ties: industry chiefs

Industry leaders and officials at the South China Morning Post's GBA-Asean Summit 2026 said ASEAN hopes to tap the Greater Bay Area's expertise in AI and green technology through closer ties, with Hong Kong poised to benefit. Panellists stressed the importance of open data flows and shared digital standards to foster cooperation between the 11-member bloc and the bay area.

Asean hopes to tap Greater Bay Area’s tech skills with closer ties: industry chiefs Panellists at South China Morning Post’s GBA-Asean Summit list AI and green technology as key areas for cooperation Greater Bay Area https://www.scmp.com/topics/greater-bay-area?module=inline&pgtype=article to tap expertise in the region’s advanced technologies and manufacturing, with Hong Kong also poised to benefit, industry leaders and officials have said. Panellists at the South China Morning Post’s GBA-Asean Summit 2026 highlighted artificial intelligence AI and green technology as key areas for cooperation, while stressing the importance of open data flows and shared digital standards. Tuesday’s summit brought together government officials, business leaders and institutional investors to discuss emerging areas of cooperation between the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the bay area. The bay area refers to Beijing’s initiative to turn Hong Kong, Macau and nine mainland Chinese cities into an integrated economic powerhouse. Gary Wong Chi-him, chief Hong Kong and Macau liaison expert for Shenzhen’s Qianhai Authority, told a morning panel that he was interested in connecting Southeast Asia and Qianhai’s AI and green technology sectors. He described Qianhai as “a special zone within a special zone” that could act as a gateway for companies looking to tap into the bay area.