(Yicai) May 19 -- China and Singapore, as close partners, can work together to advance the promotion and real-world application of artificial intelligence, and help turn AI into a regional public good, according to the chairman of the Singapore National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation.

China is strong in AI R&D, has a wide range of real-world use cases and has delivered abundant practical results, giving it the ability to export and lead in technology, Tan Khee Giap told media during the Senior Officials’ Meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Shanghai that ended today.

At the same time, many member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have huge potential for AI adoption but need mature technologies and experience to guide their digital transformation, Tan said.

Against this backdrop, China and Singapore could jointly promote AI applications across ASEAN, such as in smart healthcare, advanced manufacturing, logistics and communications, to help drive regional development, he said.

Singapore has been China’s largest source of new investment for several years in a row and the two countries maintain close economic and trade ties. The fruits of their cooperation can be seen all over China, such as the Suzhou Industrial Park, the China-Singapore Smart Park in Guangzhou, the Jilin (China-Singapore) Food Zone and the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City, Tan said.

Apart from AI, China is also making strong progress in sectors such as new energy vehicles and solar power. Singapore is willing to play the role of a regional bridge to promote the adoption of China’s high-quality products and advanced technologies across ASEAN, he added.

As the host of APEC in 2026, China will hold more than 300 events this year, including senior officials’ meetings and ministerial gatherings, covering fields such as trade, finance, the digital economy and AI. This year’s second APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting was held in Shanghai from May 18 to 19.

Editor: Kim Taylor