Digital Economic Integration Under RCEP: China-ASEAN Collaboration Opportunities, Challenges, and Pathways

China and ASEAN have emerged as close partners in the digital economy, with extensive cooperation in key areas such as digital infrastructure, 5G technology, artificial intelligence, and big data.The comprehensive implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has provided institutional guarantees and regulatory benefits for China-ASEAN digital economic collaboration.This framework has enhanced the marginal effects of their digital economies, unlocked the potential of the digital market, and facilitated digital transformation and regional socio-economic development.Nevertheless, challenges remain, including the incomplete harmonization of trade rules and standards among ASEAN member states, uneven development of digital infrastructure, and the increasingly complex landscape of digital economic cooperation.To address these issues, future efforts should focus on creating a more conducive digital environment, accelerating the construction of digital infrastructure, fostering industrial innovation and complementary development, and promoting crosssectoral collaboration in digital services.