China's Role in Shaping AI's Future

Par He Yin, People's Daily

On July 17, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, delivering a keynote speech.

In his address, Xi presented four key observations on global AI development and governance, comprehensively outlining China's policy positions and guiding principles.

The international community has praised China's contributions to global AI governance. Many observers noted that China's proposals offer a clear vision for the future of the global AI industry, and its commitment to openness and shared development aims to ensure AI benefits all humanity.

They believe Xi's initiatives provide a Chinese solution for narrowing the global digital and AI divide and promoting AI development for good and for all.

The world is experiencing profound changes unseen in a century, while a new wave of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is advancing rapidly. AI innovation has entered an unprecedented period of rapid development, bringing enormous opportunities alongside increasingly complex governance challenges.

Humanity must address the questions of our times: How to coexist with thinking machines? How to ensure security when algorithms influence decision-making? How to tackle ethical challenges through adaptive governance? How to achieve AI for all when the divide keeps widening?

To this end, Xi shared four observations. He emphasized the importance of openness and win-win cooperation, innovation-driven development, risk awareness to ensure AI is secure and controllable, inclusiveness, mutual learning between civilizations, solidarity, and improved global governance.

These proposals provide essential guidance for building a fairer and more equitable global AI governance system. They have received broad recognition and positive responses from the international community.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that he fully agrees with Xi's important proposals, particularly the emphasis on beneficial, inclusive, and safe AI, noting these principles align closely with the UN's vision and strategic objectives.

As a responsible major country, China is committed to providing international public goods related to AI.

Since proposing the Global AI Governance Initiative, China has promoted the UN General Assembly Resolution on Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity-Building of Artificial Intelligence by consensus. It has published the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All, announced the AI Plus International Cooperation Initiative, and continuously contributed Chinese solutions to the sound and inclusive development of AI.

Through joint efforts, the World AI Cooperation Organization has been established in Shanghai. This organization represents a major step by China in responding to the aspirations of the Global South and uniting the international community to advance AI development and governance. It marks an important milestone in AI development history.

Many countries have expressed confidence that the organization will play a significant role in promoting open, inclusive, equal, and mutually beneficial cooperation, building a safer, more prosperous future where no country is left behind.

Taking a people-centered approach and developing AI for the positive and for good, China continues to leverage its AI development to promote shared global progress, ensuring AI becomes a powerful force for improving people's well-being and advancing human civilization.

In recent years, China has strengthened AI innovation and actively advanced the AI Plus Initiative. The core smart economy industries are valued at least 1 trillion yuan ($147.64 billion). The country's capabilities in technological innovation and real-world AI applications remain among the world's leading.

Chinese AI technologies are increasingly delivering tangible benefits worldwide. AI-powered clinics have been introduced in Saudi Arabia to improve primary healthcare services, while autonomous driving technologies are helping upgrade Singapore's logistics industry. A growing number of high-quality Chinese AI products and solutions are reaching international markets, improving people's livelihoods globally and making "Intelligent Manufacturing in China" a distinctive hallmark of Chinese modernization.

To further support global AI development and advance global AI capacity building, in the next five years, China will provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities in AI training and seminar programs.

It will develop international AI application cooperation centers with 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 BRICS.

It will also enable 30 countries to use the AI-powered meteorological warning system, or MAZU, to safeguard homes worldwide. These initiatives will provide fresh momentum for capacity building and sustainable development across the Global South.

AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country but a symphony of international cooperation. China is ready to be more open, take more practical actions, and assume a more visionary perspective. It is ready to work with all parties to seize AI development opportunities and meet challenges, joining hands to create a brighter future for humanity.