Chinese President Xi Jinping Advocates Global AI Collaboration at Shanghai Conference

Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for a global approach to developing and governing artificial intelligence (AI) during his speech at the World AI Conference in Shanghai. Xi highlighted China’s objections to what he views as the excessive application of national security concerns by certain countries.

Speaking at the conference, Xi stated that no single nation should dominate AI development. The ongoing restrictions led by the United States have limited China’s access to some of the world’s cutting-edge technologies, driving China to enhance its technological capabilities and escalating the tech race between the two leading economies.

The development of artificial intelligence should not be a solo performance by any single country but rather a symphony of global cooperation,

Xi remarked at the annual conference. The event was attended by leaders from Kazakhstan, Cambodia, and Thailand, along with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.

Xi called for collective opposition to the expanding use of national security in AI discussions. He reiterated China’s criticism of prioritizing one nation’s security over others. Over the next five years, China intends to offer 5,000 AI training opportunities to developing countries.

China plans to broaden its AI cooperation with several international organizations, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the BRICS countries. Xi committed to opening access for 30 countries to a Chinese-developed AI meteorological system offering early warning capabilities.

On the previous day, a group of 29 countries, including Pakistan, Russia, and Kazakhstan, signed an agreement with China to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization. According to state media, this intergovernmental organization will be based in Shanghai and aim to promote global AI governance.

This year’s AI conference in Shanghai includes participation from over 1,100 companies and 1,400 guests. During the event, Huawei is set to demonstrate its advanced AI computing system, the Atlas 950 SuperPoD.

Some technology analysts now view China as a leader in AI innovation, contrasting earlier views of the country playing catch-up with the United States. China’s strategic plan through 2030 focuses on advances in scientific and technological frontiers, with AI being a key element. Chinese open-source AI models, such as DeepSeek, are often seen as attractive and cost-effective alternatives globally, particularly in developing regions, compared to the largely closed-source U.S. AI models.