At the Bund Summit 2025 in Shanghai, He Dong, chief economist at the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office, spelled out a game plan for the region to level up in global value chains 🌐🚀. According to He Dong, ASEAN+3 — the ten ASEAN countries and their three big neighbors: the Chinese mainland, Japan and the Republic of Korea — is at a strategic crossroads.
“By positioning itself as a critical part of the global value chain and building more efficient production networks within ASEAN, we can ride the wave of shifting supply dynamics,” He Dong told CGTN’s Michael Wang. It’s like assembling the ultimate squad in a free-for-all: each player brings unique strengths, and together you win big.
Why now? Demand is moving closer to home, tech is advancing fast, and companies are rethinking where they make stuff. For young pros and investors, this means fresh opportunities in manufacturing hubs from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City, and beyond. Students and researchers will find rich data to track how digital tools and green initiatives reshape production.
What’s next? He Dong recommends:
- Deepening regional partnerships to streamline logistics and cut costs 🚚💨
- Investing in smart manufacturing and green tech to stay future-proof 🌱🤖
- Encouraging startups to plug into bigger supply networks 🔌💡
These moves could boost jobs, spark new industries, and keep the region’s economy buzzing.
For explorers and the Asian diaspora, it’s also a story of connection—linking local talent with global markets. Whether you’re in Kuala Lumpur, Manila or Seoul, the shift in global value chains is your ticket to the next big wave. Hang tight and get ready to surf!
Reference(s):
Economist: ASEAN+3 poised to benefit from global value chain shifts
cgtn.com
