In order to better align with the major national strategy and serve the construction of The Belt and Road Initiative, the Huazhong University of Science and Technology Party Committee decided to establish the ASEAN Research Center in March 2014, which is affiliated to the College of Public AdministrationAdministration. In 2017, the Center was awarded "National and Regional Research Center" by the Ministry of Education. In August 2017, an agreement was signed with Kunming University of Science and Technology to build the ASEAN Joint Research Center.
In 2021, the Center was recommended by the Foreign Affairs Office of the CPC Hubei Provincial Committee to become a member of the NGO Cooperation Network along The Silk Road. In June 2021, with the approval of Wuhan Municipal Government, the "Wuhan-ASEAN Digital Economy Cooperation Research Center" was jointly established with FiberHome Technology Service Company. At present, there are 35 researchers in the center, including 12 professors and 20 associate professors. Since its establishment, the Center has presided over 11 research projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National Social Science Foundation of China, and the Ministry of Education's Country Studies; publishing a series of books on ASEAN public issues; published more than 30 SSCI and CSSCI papers;.;submitting several government advisory reports; implemented the "ASA Project of Huazhong University of Science and Technology ASEAN Senior Government Management Talent Training" sponsored by the National Fund for Studying Abroad Chinese Government Scholarship.
Focusing on China-ASEAN cooperation and development issues and relevant public policy of ASEAN countries, various comprehensive and specific scientific researches are carried out. Through scientific research, discipline construction, personnel training and social services, the center strives to become a senior characteristic think-tank for China to study ASEAN issues,an important base for academic cooperation with ASEAN countries and a collaborative innovation platform for HUST to serve The Belt and Road Initiative.
