Science & Technology
Wed, October 29, 2025
Tue, October 28, 2025
Mon, October 27, 2025
China urges joint efforts with Japan, South Korea, ASEAN in science and tech
//science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. japan-south-korea-asean-in-science-and-tech.html
Published in Science and Technology on Monday, October 27th 2025 at 20:54 GMT by The Straits Times- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
China Calls for a Trilateral Science and Technology Partnership with Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN
In a statement that underscores Beijing’s ambition to become the linchpin of advanced technology in the Indo‑Pacific, China’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) announced this week that it is urging Japan, South Korea and ASEAN member states to deepen joint efforts in science and technology. The call comes amid a growing sense that the Asia‑Pacific is pivoting towards a high‑tech “Great Game,” where the most advanced nations are seeking to lock in collaborative frameworks that can drive research, innovation and industrial development.
The Core Message of the Press Release
In a release posted on the Ministry’s website and subsequently reported by the Straits Times, MOST Director‑General Zhao Yiping outlined a comprehensive agenda that seeks to build “a three‑way technology ecosystem” that covers artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, green energy, and biomedicine. Zhao said that China is prepared to “offer expertise, funding and access to its burgeoning ecosystem of universities, research institutes and high‑tech parks” in exchange for deeper cooperation from its neighbours.
“We want to create a virtuous circle of shared knowledge and complementary strengths,” Zhao said. “Japan has long been a leader in precision engineering and robotics; South Korea excels in semiconductor manufacturing and displays; ASEAN brings a youthful market and rapidly developing digital infrastructure. Together we can accelerate breakthrough research and turn it into global competitiveness.”
Zhao also highlighted China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a platform for joint research projects. The BRI’s “Technology Cooperation Fund”—a 10‑year, multi‑billion‑dollar investment vehicle—has already earmarked projects in AI and 5G infrastructure in several Southeast Asian countries. “The BRI is not just about roads and bridges; it’s about knowledge and technology transfer,” Zhao noted.
Links to Other Resources
The Straits Times article links to several primary sources that add depth to the story.
China‑ASEAN Science and Technology Cooperation – This linked page explains that the China‑ASEAN Joint Working Group on Science and Technology was established in 2016. Its mandate is to coordinate joint research programmes, exchange programmes for scientists, and collaborative industrial projects. It lists key achievements, such as a joint 5G test bed in Singapore and an AI data‑sharing platform in Indonesia. The page also highlights a 2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between China and ASEAN that set out a five‑year plan for “smart city” development, with a target of 50 joint research grants.
Belt and Road Initiative – Technology Cooperation Fund – The linked BRI page details how the Technology Cooperation Fund (TCF) operates. Managed by the China Development Bank, the TCF provides grants and low‑interest loans for joint research facilities, technology incubators, and cross‑border patent filing. It gives examples of past projects: a joint quantum‑communication lab in Singapore and a semiconductor R&D centre in Vietnam. The page also outlines the fund’s criteria, emphasizing “mutual benefit, risk sharing, and intellectual‑property safeguards.”
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) – The METI link takes readers to the Japanese government’s official portal for science and technology policy. METI’s page lists Japan’s priorities for 2024–2029, which include “AI ethics,” “biopharmaceutical innovation,” and “green hydrogen.” It also highlights Japan’s engagement in trilateral science forums such as the “East Asian Science and Technology Forum” (EASTEF), where it has hosted workshops on quantum computing and AI standardisation.
South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT – The link to South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT outlines its “Digital New Deal” strategy, which aims to double the country’s AI industry value by 2030. The page highlights South Korea’s collaboration with China on semiconductor technology and with Japan on precision manufacturing. It also notes that the ministry has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with ASEAN to accelerate “smart‑city” research and deploy AI‑powered traffic management systems across Southeast Asia.
The Implications for Regional Dynamics
China’s overture arrives at a time when the United States and its Indo‑Pacific allies are promoting “digital alliances” through the “Quad” (United States, Japan, India, Australia) and the “ASEAN‑US Enhanced Connectivity Programme.” By positioning itself as a catalyst for a trilateral tech hub, China seeks to counterbalance Western influence and cement its own leadership in the region’s tech landscape.
From Japan’s perspective, the call offers an opportunity to extend its export‑oriented high‑tech industry into new markets. Japan’s METI has repeatedly expressed concern about a possible “technology divide” that could leave its small businesses vulnerable. A partnership with China and ASEAN could provide Japanese firms with broader access to raw materials and a larger customer base for AI, robotics and green technology products.
South Korea, meanwhile, stands to benefit from the combined talent pools and capital investment. The country’s tech giants, such as Samsung and SK Hynix, have already partnered with Chinese firms on semiconductor research. The trilateral framework could bring additional funding streams and regulatory alignment that would smooth cross‑border supply chains.
A Pragmatic Yet Strategic Vision
While the press release is framed as a collaborative invitation, it also carries strategic undertones. By leveraging the BRI’s existing infrastructure and framing the partnership as “mutually beneficial,” China signals its intention to weave a technology ecosystem that places it at the centre of research and development. The focus on AI, quantum computing, and green tech also aligns with Beijing’s long‑term ambition to shift from a manufacturing power to a knowledge economy.
In the words of Zhao Yiping, “Science and technology are the engines of progress. By sharing our expertise and pooling our resources, we can build an innovation network that benefits all participants and drives the region towards sustainable, high‑value growth.”
As the trilateral negotiations progress, analysts will be watching closely to see whether the proposed joint research initiatives translate into tangible projects and whether the partnership can overcome the regulatory, intellectual‑property and geopolitical hurdles that have historically complicated cross‑border tech collaboration. The Straits Times will continue to report on developments as China, Japan, South Korea and ASEAN navigate this evolving landscape.
Read the Full The Straits Times Article at:
[ https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/China-urges-joint-efforts-with-Japan-South-Korea-ASEAN-in-science-and-tech ]
