China pushes global AI governance, unveils 5,000 training opportunities

Xi Jinping, Chinese President has called for stronger international cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), urging countries to build a fair and inclusive global governance framework that ensures the rapidly evolving technology benefits humanity while addressing growing concerns over security, ethics and widening digital inequalities.

 

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and the high-level meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, Xi said AI has entered a new era of unprecedented innovation and is reshaping economies, industries and societies, making coordinated global action more urgent than ever.

The Chinese President described AI as a transformative force comparable to the steam engine, electricity and the internet, saying the technology has the potential to become a major driver of economic growth and social progress if developed responsibly.

He noted that while AI presents enormous opportunities, it also raises difficult questions about safety, ethics, human oversight and equitable access.

“How should humanity coexist with thinking machines? How do we ensure security when algorithms become part of decision-making? How do we address ethical challenges through effective governance? And how do we ensure AI benefits everyone as the digital divide continues to widen?” Xi asked.

He stressed that these challenges require collective answers from the international community rather than unilateral action.

Xi outlined four key principles that, according to China, should guide the future of global AI development and governance.

The first, he said, is promoting openness and mutually beneficial cooperation to drive innovation.

He urged countries to support open-source development, strengthen international collaboration, encourage technology sharing and accelerate AI applications across industries.

According to him, AI is rapidly transitioning from the digital space into the physical world, making it essential for governments and businesses to modernise traditional industries while investing in emerging technologies and future industrial development.

Secondly, Xi called for stronger safeguards to ensure AI remains safe, secure and under human control.

He urged governments to establish comprehensive legal frameworks, ethical standards, technological monitoring systems, early warning mechanisms and emergency response structures capable of preventing misuse of AI technologies.

At the same time, he cautioned against what he described as the over-expansion of national security concerns into AI cooperation, warning that one country’s security interests should not come at the expense of others.

His third proposal focused on inclusiveness and cultural diversity.

Xi argued that AI development should respect the uniqueness of different civilizations and cultures rather than erode them, adding that artificial intelligence should be guided by humanity’s shared values and used to deepen mutual understanding, cultural exchanges and international cooperation.

Finally, he advocated stronger multilateral cooperation under the United Nations to establish internationally accepted governance rules, technical standards and regulatory frameworks.

He said developed countries should help bridge the AI gap by supporting capacity building in developing nations, warning that unequal access to AI could create “new historical injustice” if left unchecked.

The Chinese president also highlighted China’s rapid advances in artificial intelligence, saying the country’s AI-driven economy has become one of the pillars of its modernisation strategy.

He said China has promoted innovation through a combination of market-driven growth and government support under its “AI Plus Initiative,” creating an ecosystem that encourages research, industrial applications and technological development.

According to Xi, China’s core smart economy industries are now valued at over RMB 1 trillion, while AI-powered devices are increasingly improving everyday life and intelligent manufacturing has become a defining feature of Chinese industrial development.

He emphasised, however, that China places equal importance on AI safety, noting that the country continues to strengthen laws, regulations, ethical standards and governance mechanisms to ensure artificial intelligence remains secure, reliable and under effective human oversight.

Positioning China as a key contributor to global AI governance, Xi pointed to Beijing’s previous initiatives, including the Global AI Governance Initiative, the United Nations resolution on AI capacity building, the AI Capacity Building Action Plan for Good and for All, and the AI Plus International Cooperation Initiative.

He also welcomed the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) in Shanghai, describing it as a major milestone for global AI governance and a response to the aspirations of developing countries seeking greater participation in shaping AI policies.

To deepen international cooperation, Xi announced several new commitments that China will implement over the next five years.

These include providing 5,000 AI training and seminar opportunities for participants from developing countries, establishing international AI application cooperation centres with organisations including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the African Union (AU), the League of Arab States, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS.

China will also expand access to its AI-powered meteorological early warning system, known as MAZU, enabling 30 countries to use the technology to improve disaster preparedness and protect vulnerable communities.

Xi urged countries to embrace AI as a shared global opportunity rather than an arena for geopolitical competition.

Quoting a Chinese proverb that “a single string cannot make music, and a single tree does not make a forest,” he said AI development should be “a symphony of international cooperation” rather than the achievement of any one nation.

He reaffirmed China’s willingness to deepen openness, expand practical cooperation and work with governments worldwide to ensure artificial intelligence advances in a manner that promotes peace, sustainable development and the well-being of humanity.

Xi said only through international consensus, effective governance and responsible innovation can AI become a force that advances human civilisation while preventing the risks associated with uncontrolled technological development.