President Xi Jinping said artificial intelligence should not be dominated by a single country.

Delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai on Friday, Xi appealed for global cooperation on AI development.

"AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation," he said.

"We should put in place laws and regulations, technological monitoring, early warning, and emergency response systems, in order to... ensure AI is always under human control."

The president highlighted the importance of a "people-centred" approach to the development of AI technology.

He spoke about China's role in ensuring equity of access to AI capacity building for developing countries in order to prevent the creation of "new historical injustices" in AI, announcing Beijing's plans to cooperate with numerous international bodies, including from Africa, Latin America, Asia and Brics countries, to provide AI-related opportunities.

Xi also announced the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization.

On Thursday, 29 countries, including China, signed an agreement to set up the independent intergovernmental international group headquartered in Shanghai.

The organisation aims to promote international cooperation and global governance on AI, ensuring that AI is beneficial, safe and fair, thereby promoting its healthy and orderly development to benefit all humanity, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The four-day conference draws more than 1,000 of China's tech firms together with officials, researchers and industry figures.

Around 3,000 products are on display, from powerful semiconductor systems for AI computing to a smartphone that can autonomously operate apps.

Analysts said Chinese AI models are catching up to the most powerful US offerings, while attracting global users with lower costs. (Agencies)
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Last updated: 2026-07-17 HKT 11:31




Edited by Edmond Fong