Don’t Sleep on Chinese Tech Investment in Southeast Asia
Diplomat
23-05-11 12:28
Chinese technology companies like Alibaba, Tencent, and Huawei have outpaced Google, Amazon, and Microsoft in Southeast Asia with more data centers, including for cloud computing, ICT infrastructure, and cybersecurity. The region’s leaders are limiting taking sides between Beijing and Washington, and Chinese technology provides a broad range of high-quality products, even in AI, attracting a growing number of consumers. Southeast Asia has the world’s fastest-growing digital economies, with every nation in the region focusing on adopting AI in critical sectors like finance and e-commerce. Chinese AI-related investment in the area is limited, despite major Chinese tech companies pursuing broad ranges of other AI-related projects. Singapore is the most significant recipient of AI investment, with investors in the US, Europe, and Japan competing with those from China. However, Chinese tech firms' influence is growing via the establishment of research labs, opening offices and headquarters, and subsidiaries. This trend is expected to speed up to meet regional consumer demand, the Chinese economy’s slowing, and US-imposed technology and investment constraints.