-- As of 10:00 on May 5, the 2026 ACSEC ASEAN–China Silver Economy Development Forum has received extensive media coverage. More than 40 national and industry-focused outlets, including Yicai, China Enterprise News, Economic Observer, Sohu, and China Senior Magazine, it has published over 40 original reports (including event summaries and expert commentary), reaching an audience of over 1 million views.
In the next phase, the forum will further collaborate with additional vertical and mainstream media platforms. It is projected that coverage will expand to more than 50 media outlets, with over 80 articles published in total and an estimated overall reach exceeding 5 million views.
⭐⭐⭐
2026 ACSEC ASEAN–China Silver Economy Development Forum
April 27, 2026 Officially opened in Bangkok, Thailand
From ASEAN–China policy coordination on ageing to the exploration of cross-border elderly care models
From innovation in age-friendly technologies to integrated healthcare and elderly care practices
The silver economy is entering a new era of cross-border collaboration and industrial upgrading
⭐⭐⭐
Gathering Government officials in ageing affairs from ASEAN countries, Chinese experts in the ageing industry, leading enterprises in the silver economy, health-tech pioneers, and investment institutions
Focusing on Policy connectivity, industry–finance integration, and implementation pathways for smart elderly care
Addressing Key challenges in service provision and industrial coordination in ageing societies
Building A regional mechanism for resource sharing and mutual recognition of standards
Witnessing Flagship cases of international cooperation and benchmark models of innovation
⭐⭐⭐
Guided by “Cross-border Integration”
Injecting sustainable growth momentum into the trillion-dollar silver economy market
The 2026 ACSEC ASEAN–China Silver Economy Development Forum was successfully held in Bangkok, Thailand. The forum was jointly organized by the Institute of Science, Innovation and Culture (RMUTK-ISIC), Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep (RMUTK), the National Institute on Ageing Science (NIIA) of Southwest Jiaotong University, the Faculty of Health and Wellness of City University of Macau (City U-FHW), and the Beijing Jinghe Institute of Cultural and Tourism Development (JICT).
Under the theme “Advancing the Silver Economy: ASEAN–China Cooperation for Healthy Ageing and Sustainable Development (2026)”, the forum brought together government officials, representatives of international organizations, scholars, and industry leaders from China and ASEAN countries to engage in in-depth discussions on regional coordination, industrial collaboration, and institutional innovation in response to population ageing.
Fig: Panoramic view of the forum
Opening Ceremony and Keynote Speeches
The opening ceremony was chaired by Ada Marie Gallego Mascariñas, Deputy Director for Science, Innovation and Culture and Head of International Affairs at RMUTK-ISIC, and Co-Director of ACSEC.
Former Prime Minister of Thailand, Abhisit Vejjajiva, delivered a keynote speech outlining Thailand’s strategic positioning in regional silver economy cooperation. He analyzed ageing trends in ASEAN and their implications for public finance, healthcare systems, and social security, emphasizing the importance of policy coordination across the region.
Siti Hartati Murdaya, Chair of WALUBI Indonesia and President of PT Central Cipta Murdaya, shared Indonesia's experience in developing the silver economy.
The morning session was subsequently chaired by Professor Yang Yifan, Vice Dean of NIIA and Co-Director of ACSEC.
Professor Fan Zhou, President of JICT, analyzed China’s silver economy policies and industrial opportunities from a national strategic perspective.
Ke Zhihua, Chairman of the Sino-International Friendly Exchange Center, highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in the health and elderly care industries.
Flagship Publications and Project Launches
During the results release session, Yang Yong, Deputy Director and Secretary-General of ACSEC, officially launched the first volume of the book series “Building the ASEAN–China Silver Economy Community” — “Building a Healthy Ageing Society: ASEAN Pathways and China Synergy.”
The book systematically introduces the concept of the “ASEAN–China Silver Economy Community,” presents a comprehensive analysis of ageing trends across ASEAN, and proposes a four-pillar framework: policy coordination, industrial complementarity, digital empowerment, and financial innovation. It represents a milestone in advancing theoretical foundations for regional cooperation.
Yang Yong also recommended three major blue books edited by Professor Hou Shengtian:
《数智健康蓝皮书》《中医药科技转化蓝皮书》and《银龄产业蓝皮书》
These works collectively form a comprehensive research matrix supporting the development of the silver economy.
Participating institutions include:
Institute of Science, Innovation and Culture, Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep (RMUTK-ISIC)
National Interdisciplinary Institute on Aging, Southwest Jiaotong University (NIIA)
Faculty of Health and Wellness, City University of Macau (CityU-FHW)
Singapore Institute of Management (SIM)
Jinghe Institute of Cultural and Tourism (JICT)
School of Life and Health, Dalian Art College
School of Humanities and Education, Suzhou Vocational University
The forum also launched the “Silver Industry Professional Cluster Co-development Project,” with participation from multiple universities and research institutions.
Simultaneously, the “Global Sustainable Silver Economy Leadership Training Program” was officially launched. Lichia Saner Yiu, President of the Centre for Socio-Economic Development (CSEND), introduced the program’s objectives and structure. The program aims to address key challenges such as insufficient policy coordination, fragmented innovation, and talent shortages through a systematic training approach aligned with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Based in Bangkok, it adopts immersive and practice-oriented learning to cultivate globally competitive leaders in the silver economy.
The keynote session, chaired by Professor Yang Yifan, featured six distinguished scholars:
Professor Chen Xiaodong (Tsinghua University Shenzhen International Graduate School) presented on “Quality of Life (LQ) and Dynamic Nutrition,” introducing the LQ framework and showcasing cutting-edge research including biomimetic digestive system robots.
Professor Per Jenster outlined a strategic vision for ASEAN–China cooperation through the “Silver Silk Road,” identifying a USD 4.6 trillion market opportunity and proposing integrated policy, technology, and capital strategies.
Dr. Li Renliang (NIDA) analyzed ageing challenges in ASEAN and Thailand, highlighting Thailand’s transition toward a super-aged society and policy responses.
Professor Obi Toshio (Waseda University) discussed AI and digital technologies in elderly care, emphasizing wearable devices and innovation in disease prevention.
Alejandro Bonilla Garcia UN Geneva representative, addressed elderly rights and their economic implications, stressing institutional protection as key to unlocking silver economy potential.
Professor Raymond Saner (University of Basel, CSEND) introduced the concept of a regenerative silver economy, advocating institutional innovation to activate older human capital.
The morning session concluded with a closing summary by Professor Prathan Wattanavanich, Honorary Professor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rajamangala University of Technology and Economics, Bangkok.
Midday Session: Donations, Appointments, and Awards
The midday session, chaired by Dr. Liu Jinze, Deputy Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Silver Economy Development Research Center (ACSEC), Lecturer at Siam University, and Researcher at the Institute of Science Innovation and Culture, Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep (RMUTK-ISIC), included:
A book donation ceremony by JICT to RMUTK
Appointment of new ACSEC researchers
Presentation of “ACSEC Silver Economy Innovation Partner Organizations” awards to nine enterprises
During the event, bouquets, commemorative gifts, and certificates were first presented to the keynote speakers in recognition of their contributions.
This was followed by a book donation ceremony, in which the Beijing Jinghe Institute of Cultural and Tourism Development (JICT) donated publications to Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep (RMUTK), further promoting academic resource sharing and exchange between China and Thailand.
At the subsequent appointment ceremony, the ASEAN–China Silver Economy Development Research Center (ACSEC) officially appointed Guo Xihang, Wang Fan, Hou Xuetong, and Fan Wenjing as Research Fellows. This initiative aims to strengthen research capacity, enhance the regional silver economy research system, and provide more solid intellectual and talent support for ASEAN–China cooperation in the silver economy.
In addition, to further advance the integration of industry, academia, and research, the forum conferred the “ACSEC Silver Economy Innovation Partner Organizations” designation upon nine enterprises, including Xing Thailand Taidou International Technology Digital Holding Group, Quanzhou Ruizhi Future Health Management Co., Ltd., Buurtzorg Asia Pacific, Shandong Qingyounian Food Co., Ltd., ABi (Shandong) Food Co., Ltd., Fengqingyuan (Shandong) Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., Unexpected Museum (Luoyang) Cultural Industry Development Co., Ltd., Cities Between Technology Co., Ltd., and Beijing Hongfu Changshou Health Industry Technology Co., Ltd. These recognitions highlight their contributions to fostering collaborative innovation within the silver economy sector.
Parallel Forums: Policy Dialogue and Youth Innovation
In the afternoon, multiple cooperation agreements were signed among partner institutions.
Parallel Forum I: High-Level Policy Dialogue
Chaired by Professor Hou Shengtian. Discussions focused on policy coordination, industry applicability, and international elderly care models.
Invited Guests:
Lichia Saner-Yiu - President, Centre for Socio-Economic Development (CSEND), Geneva
Paek, Seung Chun- Associate Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Thailand
Narong Kiettikunwong - Associate Professor, College of Local Administration, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
Kenji Akita - Special Expert of the Aiwan Community Project of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Foreign Expert of the Talent Development Special Committee of the Chinese Gerontological Society, Member of the China Quality Certification Center Association, Executive Vice President of the Japan Welfare Medical Association, Expert of the International Talent Exchange Center of the Department of Human Resources and Social Security of Hebei Province, Expert of the Aging-Adaptation Standardization Group of the China Decoration Association.
Two Outcome Release were released:
Identifying Trends in Similarities and Opportunities in Differences: Public Opinion Survey on the Silver Economy in ASEAN Ten Countries (First Release)
Xihang Guo - Secretariat, ASEAN–China Silver Economy Development Research Center (ACSEC)
Decoding the Emerging Silver Economy in ASEAN: China–Thailand Comparative Study on Elderly Consumer Behavior (2026) (First Release)
Qinghong Xu - Deputy Secretary-General, ASEAN-China Silver Economy Cooperation and Service Center (ACSEC); Senior Consultant, Hejun Group
Parallel Forum II: Youth Innovation Forum
This forum featured emerging scholars and industry professionals discussing innovation pathways in cultural tourism, digital technology, and applied scenarios.
Theme:
Integration of Innovation, Technology, and Markets
Moderators:
Zhigang Yin - Former Director, Shanghai Research Center on Aging
Jidapa Chollathanratanapong (Ph.D.), Director of International Affairs, Associate Dean of International College, Siam University
Emerging Scholars Symposium:
Xuetong Hou -Vice President of Beijing Jinghe Institute of Cultural and Tourism (JICT)
Fang Wen - Professor, Communication University of China, Nanjing
Yuzhu Wang -Director, Beijing Zhongchen Bainian Education Technology Co.,Ltd.
Shishuai Fan - Assistant Professor, National Interdisciplinary Institute on Aging at Southwest Jiaotong University (NIIA)
Fan Wang-Deputy Secretary-General & Secretariat, Thailand Overseas Chinese Youth Development Federation
Qiao Zhang - Director, Sichuan Silver Economy Scenario Application Center
Peer Review by Experts：
Siyu Li - Researcher, Beijing Jinghe Institute of Cultural and Tourism Development
Lin Shi - Master’s Researcher, Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology
Huijuan Li - Student, National Interdisciplinary Institute on Aging at Southwest Jiaotong University
Shuang Yu - Student, National Interdisciplinary Institute on Aging at Southwest Jiaotong University
Mengting Yang - Student, National Interdisciplinary Institute on Aging at Southwest Jiaotong University
Yuhang Du - Research Assistant, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)
Industry Innovation and Accelerator Program
The forum also featured the ACSEC Industry Accelerator Program, including:
A keynote by Buurtzorg Asia Pacific on innovative homecare models
Presentation of the “Precision Nutrition for Seniors” project by Li Xinheng
Awards and Recognition
Outstanding young scholars were honored with:
Certificates for ACSEC Young Scholars’ Outstanding Papers
Certificates for ACSEC Young Scholars’ Outstanding Speaker
内容编辑| 杨勇 王璠
责任编辑| 杨勇 王璠
内容排版| 王璠
内容审核| 徐庆红 郭希杭
ACSEC
东盟-中国银发经济发展研究中心，旨在服务东盟与中国银发经济发展，对接泰国及东盟地区银发经济发展
Contact Info:
Name: Yang Yong
Email: Send Email
Organization: ASEAN-China Silver Economy Development Research Center
Website: https://isic.rmutk.ac.th
Release ID: 89190889
Google
RSS