Batting for open source AI and a global AI governance framework led by United Nations, President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping said that AI development should not be a “solo performance” by a single country but a “symphony of international cooperation”, during his inaugural speech at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai.
Taking potshots at the rival US, Jinping said that China is committed towards safe and secure AI systems with laws, regulations and policies in place as necessary safeguards, however she opposes ‘overstretching the national security concept” in AI or “placing one country’s security over that of others.”
Jinping was referring to the recent decision by the U.S. government to put export control over Anthropic’s Frontier AI model Claude Fable and Claude Mythos over national security concerns.
“In China’s view, all countries should take a people-centered approach and develop AI for the positive and for good. We should ensure that AI is an important driver for shared prosperity and common security. We should join hands to build a just and equitable system for global AI governance,” said Jinping.
In his maiden in-person appearance since the launch of WAIC in 2018, Jinping said that the event is a move by China to “answer the call of the global south and united the international community together to promote AI development and governance.”
Jinping also pointed towards the importance of the United Nations in introducing a global consensus on the AI governance framework.
President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai and delivered the keynote address.
President Xi noted that today, the world has entered an unprecedented period of active innovation on… pic.twitter.com/pGn8kIhsbi
— Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) July 17, 2026
“AI is an invaluable asset that encapsulates humanity’s collective wisdom. We should practice true multilateralism and recognize the important role of the United Nations. We should enhance alignment and coordination on AI development strategies, governance rules and technical standards so as to form a consensus based global governance framework at an early date to make this frontier technology better benefit humanity,” said Xi Jinping.
China Eyes the Global South As Xi Jinping Bats for Shared AI Principles
Naming the global south, Jinping said that China is looking forward to assisting countries with capacity building to bridge the AI and digital divides. In that regard, China also signed an agreement with 29 countries including Russia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Laos among others on the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) in Shanghai.
“We must carry out extensive international cooperation and help global south countries with capacity building to bridge the AI and digital divides, promote sustainable development and prevent creating new historical injustice in AI,” added Jinping.
The Chinese Premier also announced a series of initiatives to be taken by his country to bolster relations with other countries in the field of AI.
“In the next five years, China will provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities in AI training and seminar programs. China will develop international AI application cooperation centers with ASEAN, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS. And we will enable 30 countries to use the AI powered meteorological warning system, Mazu, to safeguard homes around the world,” said Jinping.
Also Read: China’s AI Safety Focus Shifts From ‘What AI Says’ to ‘What AI Does’: Report
