September 1–5, 2025 – Khon Kaen & Bangkok, Thailand – Supported by the People’s Republic of China, Mekong Institute (MI), in collaboration with the Centre for International Studies on Development and Governance (CISDG), Zhejiang & Zhejiang University, convened the Regional Workshop on “Empowering Digital Innovation Hubs – Bridging Innovation and Regional Collaboration” from September 1–5, 2025, in Khon Kaen and Bangkok, Thailand. The five-day workshop brought together 50 policymakers, entrepreneurs, innovation hub leaders, and researchers from Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. Through a combination of expert lectures, country case presentations, and structured learning visits, participants explored strategies to strengthen digital ecosystems, foster innovation hubs, and promote inclusive digital growth in the Lancang–Mekong region.

Opening Ceremony

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of MI, Mr. Zhou Guangxu, Consul of the Consulate General of China in Khon Kaen, and Prof. Gong Sen, Director of CISDG, Zhejiang & Zhejiang University, delivered remarks. Mr. Suriyan expressed appreciation for China’s support and underscored the growing importance of the digital economy as a regional development priority, called on participants to make full use of the opportunity to learn from both international experts and one another to advance digital innovation in their respective countries.

Mr. Zhou highlighted the vital role of digital innovation in fostering growth, well-being, and sustainability. He emphasized Zhejiang’s leadership in China’s digital economy and reaffirmed China’s commitment to fostering stronger cooperation with Mekong countries through capacity building, and shared digital advancement.

Prof. Gong introduced Zhejiang Province’s achievements in digital innovation and shared CISDG and Zhejiang University’s contributions to advancing digital research and governance. He emphasized the importance of mutual learning and exchanging practical experiences between China and Mekong.

Expert Contributions

International and regional experts from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), the Tech for Good Institute, and the ASEAN Secretariat provided forward-looking insights into:

• the evolving regional innovation ecosystem,
• the forthcoming ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), and
• ASEAN’s digital innovation roadmap.

These perspectives positioned participants to better understand global and regional policy trends that can support innovation hubs in the subregion.

Learning from China and Mekong Experiences

Scholars from Zhejiang University—Prof. Gong Sen, Prof. Huang Can, and Associate Prof. Jin Jun—presented China’s digital innovation journey, including:

• the drivers of AI development and application in Hangzhou,
• the role of science, technology, and innovation in accelerating China’s economic growth, and
• the contribution of digital technologies to advancing the green economy and climate resilience.

In addition, Mr. Liu Fan, Vice President of Tuya Smart and a senior representative, shared practical applications of AI-driven business models..

Complementing these, regional partners including Thailand’s Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), Khon Kaen University, Viet Nam’s Open Innovation and Technopreneur Institute, and Cambodia’s Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI) showcased national approaches to ecosystem building and digital innovation strategies.

Structured Learning Visits

To deepen practical understanding, participants joined Structured Learning Visits in Bangkok to the Big Data Institute (BDI), EEC Automation Park, and Thailand Digital Valley. The visits highlighted best practices in digital startups, industry–academia collaboration, and innovation hub operations, offering concrete examples of how Thailand is advancing its digital transformation agenda.

Outcomes and Closing

The workshop created a dynamic platform for peer learning and collaboration, enabling participants to identify shared challenges, exchange best practices, and propose practical solutions to enhance digital innovation hubs in the Lancang–Mekong region.

Participants collectively agreed on four priority areas for regional cooperation, accompanied by a set of actionable proposals to guide near-term collaboration and joint initiatives.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Gong Sen noted that the workshop provided valuable insights into the current status and needs of the Mekong countries in digital economy development. This, he added, will inform more tailored training programs in China, while MI’s participatory approach to workshop facilitation also offered useful lessons.

Ms. Guohua Liu, Director of MI’s Sustainable Energy and Environment Department of MI, emphasized that the connections built and cooperation proposals developed during the workshop will be followed through: “MI will continue to support participants in implementing their ideas and ensure that the workshop generates tangible outcomes for the region, while promoting Lancang-Mekong cooperation.”

This regional initiative reflects MI’s continued commitment to strengthening digital capacity, innovation ecosystems, and regional collaboration to advance inclusive and sustainable digital transformation across the Lancang–Mekong subregion.