CityU’s Faculty of Health and Wellness co-organizes 2026 ACSEC ASEAN-China Silver Economy Development Forum in Bangkok

 

The “2026 ACSEC ASEAN-China Silver Economy Development Forum” was recently held at the Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep (RMUTT) in Bangkok, Thailand. Co-organized by the Faculty of Health and Wellness of City University of Macau (CityU), the Institute of Science, Innovation, and Culture of RMUTT, the National Interdisciplinary Institute on Aging of Southwest Jiaotong University, and the Beijing Jinghe Institute of Culture and Tourism, and hosted by the ASEAN-China Silver Economy Development Research Centre (ACSEC) and Beijing Novo Silver Think Tank, the forum was themed “Advancing the Silver Economy: ASEAN–China Cooperation for Healthy Aging and Sustainable Development”. It aimed to establish the first cross-regional, interdisciplinary flagship dialogue platform in the silver economy field under the frameworks of the “Belt and Road” Initiative and the “Health Silk Road”. The forum received strategic support from authoritative organizations such as the International Federation on Ageing (Geneva) and the International Institute of Administrative Sciences, as well as assistance from the Foreign Exchange Committee of the China Asia Economic Development Association, marking a new phase of institutionalized and high-level regional cooperation in the silver economy. Nearly 200 participants—including government officials, representatives of international organizations, scholars, and industry leaders from China, ASEAN countries, Europe, and Japan—gathered to explore innovative solutions to population ageing. 

 

The 27th Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, was invited to deliver a keynote speech, elaborating on Thailand’s strategic positioning in regional silver economy cooperation. Ms. Siti Hartati Murdaya, Chairperson of WALUBI Indonesia and President of PT Central Cipta Murdaya, shared industry development insights based on Indonesian practices. 

 

 

Prof. Hou Shengtian, professor of the Faculty of Health and Wellness (FHW) and vice-chairman of the ACSEC Expert Committee, represented CityU at the forum. He moderated the high-level policy dialogue and major achievement release sessions, and introduced CityU’s newly launched master’s program in smart aging and health management, which attracted significant attention from attendees. 
 

During the high-level policy dialogue, Prof. Hou guided four international experts from the Centre for Socio-Economic Research (Geneva), Mahidol University (Thailand), Khon Kaen University (Thailand), and the Japan Welfare and Medical Association in an in-depth discussion on regional policy coordination, applicability of silver industries, cooperation models between local governments and technology enterprises, and community policies in Japan’s super-ageing society. The dialogue effectively facilitated practical consensus, demonstrating the professional authority and academic influence of FHW in this field. 

 

 

During the forum, three blue books edited by Prof. Hou Shengtian were released: the Blue Book of Digital Health (2025), the Blue Book of TCM Technology Transfer (2025), and the Report on the Development of Silver Industry in China (2025). Grounded in industry realities, these publications systematically review the current state and innovative pathways in silver economy-related fields, providing important academic support and practical guidance for industry development. 

 

 

A signing ceremony for the ACSEC joint cooperation agreements was held on the same occasion, involving RMUTT, Southwest Jiaotong University, FHW, the Beijing Jinghe Institute of Culture and Tourism, and the Global School of Technology & Management (Singapore), further consolidating the multilateral cooperation mechanism. In addition, FHW signed a letter of intent for cooperation with the ASEAN-China Silver Economy Development Research Centre of RMUTT, marking a new chapter in bilateral collaboration in academic research, talent cultivation, and industrial coordination.
 

The successful organization of this forum not only charted a course for deeper ASEAN-China cooperation in the silver economy, but also contributed practical outcomes and valuable insights to regional and global efforts in actively addressing population ageing. Through its deep involvement in co-organizing the forum, leading core agendas, releasing landmark blue book publications, signing cross-border strategic cooperation agreements, and playing a pivotal role in academic leadership and international dialogue, CityU has further elevated its influence in regional and global health and ageing academic and industrial circles. Looking ahead, CityU will continue to deepen its “industry-academia-research-application” integrated approach, contributing to the building of a more inclusive, healthy, and sustainable ageing society. 

 

Source: Faculty of Health and Wellness