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Interview: ASEAN-China cooperation key to regional stability, growth, says Malaysian National News Agency CEO

Source: Xinhua | 2026-08-13 | Editor:Rachel

Cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China will be key to ensuring regional stability and economic growth even as the world continues to grapple with geopolitical challenges, according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama).

Beyond legacy trade and products, this relationship will play an important role as the digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI) continue to be developed and become the foundation for a new global alignment, Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Bernama CEO, said in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua.

"At a time of geopolitical uncertainty, the region should not be divided into rival or exclusive blocs. It should be built on mutual respect, inclusivity and dialogue. Over the next decade, I hope to see an Asia-Pacific that remains peaceful, open and economically dynamic, with smaller and developing countries having a meaningful voice," she said.

"ASEAN-China cooperation, including Malaysia-China relations, has grown substantially across trade, investment, infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges. Looking ahead, the digital economy and AI offer considerable potential. The green economy is another promising area. Cooperation in renewable energy, electric vehicles, battery technology and energy efficiency can create jobs while supporting climate goals," she said.

Nur-ul Afida added that, based on her firsthand experience of China, she was impressed by the scale and pace of its transformation. She noted that the changes are visible not only in major infrastructure projects, but also in everyday life through digital payments, e-commerce, efficient transport and integrated online services.

"China has also demonstrated an ability to move rapidly from experimentation to large-scale implementation. Innovation is often applied across industries, cities and public services rather than remaining confined to pilot projects," she said.

"In the media sector, there has been substantial investment in mobile-first content, video production, digital platforms, data journalism and artificial intelligence," she said, adding that China's long-term investment in infrastructure, research, skills and implementation offers valuable experience for Malaysia and ASEAN, while closer cooperation can be pursued among universities, industries, government agencies and media organizations.  

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