Jakarta, 22 August 2024: ERIA hosted a high-level discussion with a delegation from Peking University at its Jakarta office. The event focused on the future of ASEAN's economic integration and cooperation, gathering experts from various disciplines to examine the region's key challenges and opportunities.

Leading the Peking University delegation was Prof. Kong Tao, Director of the Think Tank Research Department of the Institute of Social Science Survey. She was joined by other prominent scholars, including Prof. Zhai Kun from the School of International Studies and deputy director of the Institute of Area Studies; Zhu Yibo, Executive Director of the International Center for Youth Development; Prof. Yang Po, director of the Department of Educational Economics and Management; Prof. Wu Jiewei, deputy dean of the Research Center of Eastern Literature; and Yu Jia, Director of the Department of International Development Cooperation and senior practice expert at the Institute of New Structural Economics. The delegation also included other high-ranking university officials and PhD students specialising in fields such as international trade, economics, political economy, international relations, language and culture, literature, education, and chemistry.

The discussions were enriched by a highly active exchange of ideas, with a dynamic Q&A session involving all members of the Peking University delegation. The conversations covered a wide range of areas, including industry cooperation, the progress of the ASEAN Connectivity 2025 plan, the global order, climate change, and ERIA’s policy adoption by ASEAN. The dialogue also delved into the development of infrastructure for electric vehicle (EV) penetration within ASEAN, as well as the technical and economic contributions to EV battery development from China, the Republic of Korea, and Japan.

Dr Lili Yan Ing, Senior Economist at ERIA, emphasised the significance of ASEAN countries leveraging their comparative advantages to boost industry cooperation. She highlighted that economic specialisation is essential for promoting collaboration across the diverse sectors within the region.

Dr Doan Thi Thanh Ha, ERIA Economist, provided updates on the ASEAN Connectivity 2025 plan, which builds on the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2015. She outlined ongoing collaborative research with the ASEAN Secretariat that has informed the development agendas and policy recommendations for the region.

The issue of climate change and the transition to a green economy was also a key topic. Dr Yessi Vadila highlighted the region's reliance on coal in current government policies and stressed the need for further research to establish a clear roadmap toward sustainability. She underscored the importance of innovation and resource optimisation to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.

China’s growing influence in ASEAN’s economic landscape was another focal point. Dr Lili noted the significant increase in foreign direct investment in ASEAN, driven by geopolitical shifts, particularly in the semiconductor and machinery sectors. While Singapore, Malaysia, and Viet Nam have benefited from this trend, Indonesia is still in the early stages of electric vehicle production.

Concluding the session, Prof. Kong Tao expressed hope for deeper collaboration between ERIA and Peking University. She emphasised the potential for joint research and human resource development initiatives, including exchange programmes for fellows and student internships.

As ASEAN advances, the insights from this discussion will be crucial in shaping policies that support both regional integration and global competitiveness.