Xi Jinping Calls for Global AI Cooperation, Criticizes U.S. Dominance

Chinese President Xi Jinping advocated for global collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI) development, likening it to a "symphony" that the international community should play together, rather than a solo performance by any single nation. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Xi implicitly criticized the United States' approach to AI development and international cooperation.

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AI development should be a symphony played by the international community together, not a solo performance by one country.

Xi stressed the need to prevent new injustices in the AI field and opposed the "over-expansion" of national security concepts, as well as prioritizing one country's security over another's. This marks the first time Xi has attended the WAIC opening ceremony since its inception in 2018. The conference, themed 'AI Partner, Creating the Future Together,' features over 1,100 companies showcasing 3,000 AI-related products and services.

Further signaling China's push for a non-Western AI bloc, Xi announced plans to establish AI-related organizations within BRICS and other China-friendly nations. He also pledged to provide 5,000 AI training opportunities for developing countries over the next five years. This initiative follows the signing of an agreement on July 16 by 29 countries, including China, Russia, Pakistan, and Brazil, to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Organization (WAICO) in Shanghai.

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We must prevent new injustices in the AI field and oppose the over-expansion of national security concepts or prioritizing one country's security over another's.

The establishment of WAICO and Xi's participation are seen as a catalyst for intensified AI cooperation among non-Western nations. China is positioning its AI companies, such as DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, and Zhipu AI, as rivals to U.S. tech giants like OpenAI and Google. Chinese AI services often emphasize "low cost and high efficiency," appealing to developing countries facing financial constraints. George Chen, Head of Digital at consulting firm Asia Group, commented to Reuters that China is demonstrating its resolve not to lag behind other nations, specifically the U.S., in AI technology and standards. Xi's speech and WAICO's creation also appear to counter the U.S.-led "Pax Silica" initiative, which aims to build secure international supply chains for critical materials like silicon used in AI and semiconductors.

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China is showing its determination not to follow other countries (the U.S.) in AI technology and AI standards.