Chongqing Deepens ASEAN Ties as Malaysia Joins “The Great Way” Regional Initiative

Intelligent mobility, advanced manufacturing and cross-border connectivity open new opportunities for China–ASEAN cooperation

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 September 2026 — As economic ties between China and Southeast Asia continue to evolve, Chongqing is expanding its engagement with ASEAN through “The Great Way” (《大道》), a multinational reporting and research initiative spanning Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and other ASEAN markets.

Launched by Chongqing Broadcasting Group · THE FIRST SIGHT TV to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the China–ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the initiative aims to document the growing connections between China and ASEAN across industry, trade, technology, standards and people-to-people exchanges.

Five reporting teams have departed Chongqing for destinations including Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, documenting stories of cooperation among markets connected through the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and the wider China–ASEAN economic ecosystem.

Chongqing

The initiative began in Bangkok on 21 September with “When Chongqing Meets Bangkok” (渝车出海·遇鉴暹罗), bringing together more than 100 representatives from government, business, industry, culture and media.

While Bangkok marked the first destination, the programme forms part of a broader ASEAN journey exploring how China and Southeast Asian economies are becoming increasingly connected through manufacturing, technology, trade and cultural exchange.

Malaysia Part of Chongqing’s Expanding ASEAN Connections

Malaysia’s inclusion in “The Great Way” places the country within a wider story of growing connectivity between Chongqing and Southeast Asia.

As China–ASEAN cooperation expands beyond conventional trade, areas such as advanced manufacturing, new energy, digital technology, logistics and cross-border supply chains are becoming increasingly important to regional economic development.

The initiative will examine these changing connections across ASEAN, including the complementary roles that different economies can play as regional supply chains become more integrated.

For Malaysia, the development provides a wider perspective on how the country can participate in an ASEAN ecosystem increasingly shaped by new technologies, intelligent mobility and closer industrial connections with China.

Chongqing Takes Intelligent Mobility to ASEAN

Chongqing, a municipality directly under China’s central government and a major economic centre in central and western China, has accelerated the development of its intelligent connected new energy vehicle industry.

The city aims to develop an internationally influential ecosystem for intelligent mobility, supported by its strengths in manufacturing, technology and industrial development.

Among the companies driving this international expansion is Changan Automobile, which is headquartered in Chongqing.

Changan entered Thailand in 2023 and subsequently invested in its first overseas new energy vehicle manufacturing base in Rayong Province.

Asean markets

Production began in 2025, with the facility positioned not only to serve Thailand but also to support manufacturing and exports to other ASEAN markets and the wider region.

The development illustrates a broader shift in China–ASEAN economic relations: Southeast Asia is increasingly being viewed not simply as an end market for products, but as part of an interconnected regional ecosystem involving manufacturing, supply chains, technology and consumers.

At “When Chongqing Meets Bangkok”, Chris Wu, Vice President of Changan Auto Sales (Thailand) Co., Ltd., presented the technological capabilities of Chinese automakers in addressing ASEAN market requirements, as well as the company’s consumer-oriented approach to product development.

The presentation demonstrated the potential created by combining “Chongqing Intelligence” with “Manufacturing in Thailand” to address opportunities across the wider ASEAN market.

A More Integrated ASEAN Manufacturing Ecosystem

The transformation of the automotive industry offers an example of how economic cooperation between China and ASEAN is changing.

As vehicles become increasingly electrified, intelligent and connected, automotive manufacturing is converging with other industries including information and communications technology, digital services, energy infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.

This evolution creates opportunities extending beyond vehicle assembly itself.

Supply-chain services, components, technology, digital solutions, logistics and other supporting industries all form part of the emerging new-energy mobility ecosystem.

For ASEAN economies such as Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, this also demonstrates how individual markets can contribute different capabilities to a regional value chain rather than competing solely as standalone markets.

Manufacturing may take place in one country, components and supporting industries in another, while technology, logistics, financing and services connect the ecosystem across borders.

Connecting Western China with ASEAN

Beyond the automotive industry, “The Great Way” focuses on a broader story of regional connectivity.

The five reporting teams travelling across ASEAN will document industrial cooperation, mutual recognition of standards and people-to-people exchanges among economies connected through the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor.

The corridor provides Chongqing and other parts of western China with greater connectivity to international markets, including Southeast Asia.

Against this backdrop, Malaysia’s inclusion in “The Great Way” provides an opportunity to explore how closer connectivity between western China and ASEAN could support new forms of trade, industrial cooperation and cross-border business.

Culture and People Remain Part of the Connection

“The Great Way” also recognises that economic relationships are strengthened by connections between people.

At the Bangkok launch, automobiles served as a medium for discussing industrial and technological cooperation, while culture was positioned as a bridge for strengthening mutual understanding between China and Southeast Asia.

During the event, honorary plaques recognising contributions to Thailand–China cultural promotion were presented to six Thai artists and actors — Ford Thitipong Sengngai, Cooper Patpasit Na Songkhla, Tee Thanapon Jarujitranon, First Chalongrat Novsamrong, Atom Aphichaya Kamnoetsirikun and Sun Thanaphat Pureesawad.

The programme also featured “Opportunities in Chongqing”, a promotional film showcasing Chongqing’s development and introducing opportunities for greater international cooperation.

The combination of industry and culture reflects the wider objective of “The Great Way”: documenting China–ASEAN relations not only through trade figures and infrastructure, but also through technology, media, culture and connections between communities.

From Bangkok to Malaysia and Across ASEAN

2026 marks the fifth anniversary of the China–ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

To commemorate the milestone, THE FIRST SIGHT TV launched “The Great Way” as a multinational reporting and research initiative documenting the changing relationship between China and ASEAN.

The journey began in Thailand with “When Chongqing Meets Bangkok” before extending to Malaysia, Singapore and other ASEAN destinations.

As the initiative progresses, its reporting teams will examine how individual ASEAN economies contribute to an increasingly connected regional landscape.

For Chongqing, Southeast Asia represents an opportunity to connect its capabilities in advanced manufacturing, intelligent mobility and technology with a dynamic regional market.

For Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region, these connections highlight how future China–ASEAN cooperation could increasingly extend beyond conventional trade towards technology, manufacturing, supply chains, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.

Together, these developments are opening new possibilities for cooperation between Chongqing, Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region.

#latestmalaysia

Malaysia Needs More Developers to Revive Abandoned Housing Projects