Overview

Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, leveraged the recently concluded 23rd China‑ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the opening of the Pinglu Canal to deepen its trade, transport and artificial‑intelligence (AI) cooperation with ASEAN nations.

Trade Performance

In the first eight months of 2026, Nanning recorded foreign‑trade volume of 65.171 billion yuan, a 2.4 % year‑on‑year increase. Trade with ASEAN accounted for 18.246 billion yuan, representing 28 % of the city’s total trade, and trade with Vietnam alone rose 18.6 %.

Pinglu Canal Connectivity

The Pinglu Canal, inaugurated on 16 September 2026, permits vessels up to 5,000 tonnes to navigate directly from Nanning to the Beibu Gulf. The new waterway shortens the inland‑waterway route by more than 560 km compared with the previous Guangzhou‑Port corridor. To capitalize on this, Nanning is developing an economic belt along the canal, upgrading the Balian Joint Operation Area in the Liujing Port Zone for 5,000‑tonne ships, and accelerating construction of a dedicated railway at Liujing to enable rail‑water intermodal transport. Industries such as non‑ferrous metals, green chemicals and equipment manufacturing are clustering along the canal.

AI Marketplace and Cooperation

During CAEXPO 23, an AI marketplace was launched, featuring over 70 companies displaying more than 500 products across eight categories, including large AI models, AI chips, AI glasses, intelligent robots and rehabilitation devices. The exhibition generated transactions exceeding 28 million yuan (approximately US$3.9 million). The event also hosted 37 roadshows and matchmaking sessions, releasing 42 AI cooperation needs and culminating in approximately 100 cooperation agreements valued at about 2 billion yuan, of which over 1 billion yuan is earmarked for direct cooperation with ASEAN partners.

AI Enterprise Ecosystem

Nanning now houses 1,552 AI‑related enterprises, accounting for 57.3 % of all AI firms in Guangxi. Notable participants include:

  • ArcherMind Technology, which established its ASEAN headquarters in Nanning and is supplying intelligent‑robot products to Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, including school deployments.
  • iFLYTEK, which signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the city to explore AI applications in education, healthcare and urban governance for ASEAN markets.
  • Xinchen Semiconductor, integrating chip technologies for Internet‑of‑Vehicles and Internet‑of‑Things applications within Nanning’s manufacturing base.

Institutional Innovations and Free‑Trade Zone Support

The Nanning Area of the China (Guangxi) Pilot Free‑Trade Zone introduced 260 institutional innovations, 214 of which are first‑of‑its‑kind at the national or regional level, covering cross‑border finance and digital trade. Coupled with reduced logistics costs from improved Guangxi‑ASEAN links, these measures are attracting industrial investment and fostering both airport‑oriented and port‑related industries.

Strategic Development Model

Nanning’s development model is described as “R&D in Beijing, Shanghai and the Greater Bay Area, integration in Guangxi, and application in ASEAN,” positioning the city as a hub for international AI cooperation with Southeast Asia.

Conclusion

Through enhanced transport infrastructure, robust trade growth, and a rapidly expanding AI ecosystem, Nanning is broadening China‑ASEAN cooperation beyond traditional trade into digital and intelligent technologies, creating concrete opportunities for investment, innovation and regional integration.