By AIT Belt and Road Research Center
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) hosted a delegation from China’s Yunnan Green Energy Industry Association (YGEIA) on May 9, 2025, to advance China-Southeast Asian partnerships in renewable energy. The visit highlighted the role of AIT’s Belt and Road Research Center (BRRC) in bridging research, and industry to accelerate the region’s sustainable energy transition.
Led by YGEIA President Ms. Han Liya, the delegation included representatives from Longi Green Energy (Thailand), Kunming Cable Group, Yunnan Nengye Construction, Beijing Yingke Law Firm, Chengdu Jiuding Tianyuan, and Yunnan Linjie New Energy. Key AIT leaders, including H.E. Dr. Subin Pinkayan, former Foreign Minister of Thailand, former Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees, and Honorary Advisor to the AIT Board Chairman, Chairman of SEATEC Group of Companies, Honorary Advisor of MDX Group and GMS Power, Prof. Abdul Salam, Dean of the AIT School of Environment, Resources and Development, and Dr. Wenchao Xue, BRRC Director, engaged in strategic discussions.
BRRC Drives Cross-Border Collaboration
The morning session at BRRC underscored its mission to align with Southeast Asia’s green energy goals. Dr. Wenchao Xue emphasized BRRC’s role in fostering innovation through projects in environmental engineering, green technologies, and green infrastructure. Discussions focused on synergies between YGEIA’s leadership in China’s and Yunnan’s green energy industries and BRRC’s regional networks. Proposed collaboration included joint studies on cross-border projects, and capacity-building programs for professionals.
Academic-Industry Synergy
The delegation later met with Prof. Abdul Salam to explore collaborations with AIT’s Sustainable Energy Transition program and Energy Park. Topics included knowledge exchange, joint research on sustainable energy technology, scalable solutions for Southeast Asia’s energy challenges, and a win-win academia-industry collaboration model. A guided tour to the Sustainable Energy Transition program and the Energy Park of AIT was also conducted.
BOI Science and Technology Park: Catalyst for Green Investment
The afternoon session highlighted industrial partnerships. Dr. Subin Pinkayan stressed the importance of cross-border partnerships to accelerate the region’s energy transition. YGEIA delegates expressed interest in Thailand’s renewable energy market and AIT’S BOI Science and Technology Park, particularly its potential to bridge Yunnan’s clean energy resources with Southeast Asia’s growing demand. Leveraging AIT’s regional network and BOI privileges could significantly enhance green technology transfer in the region. Discussions also emphasized Yunnan’s geographic and cultural advantages for cross-border investment in solar, wind, and other green energy projects in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries.
Commitments to a Greener Future
The visit concluded with mutual pledges to formalize partnerships, through the integrative approach that combines YGEIA’s technical strengths with AIT’s regional influence to drive sustainable growth. By uniting YGEIA’s industry capabilities with AIT’s academic excellence, BRRC aims to position itself as a linchpin for green innovation in the ASEAN-China corridor, advancing energy security and climate resilience across the region.
