China-ASEAN Legal Cooperation in the Digital Field from the Perspective of Development and Security

The rapid advancement of the digital field in China and ASEAN countries in recent years has been primarily fueled by technological innovations such as big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. However, challenges related to development goals and security issues have surfaced as significant barriers hindering collaborative efforts between China and ASEAN in advancing digital cooperation. This paper employs a documentary research approach to gather and analyze primary and secondary sources concerning the digital economy in China and ASEAN member states, encompassing legislative documents, case studies, scholarly publications, and policy analyses. The investigation reveals various hurdles in legal cooperation between China and ASEAN within the digital domain, including inadequate legislative support for digital progress, the necessity for strengthened law enforcement collaboration to ensure digital security, and the absence of mutual legal aid for digital security. In light of these challenges, this paper advocates for the enhancement of the legislative cooperation framework to promote digital advancement in both China and ASEAN. Furthermore, it recommends bolstering law enforcement partnerships and facilitating judicial support to safeguard the digital sphere.