Chinese president calls for fair global AI governance, unveils support for developing nations

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President Xi Jinping of China

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SHANGHAI – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for a fair and inclusive global system for artificial intelligence (AI) governance, urging countries to strengthen international cooperation to ensure the technology benefits humanity while addressing its growing risks.

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Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, Xi said AI presents unprecedented opportunities for economic and social development but also poses significant governance, security and ethical challenges that require collective global action.

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He stressed that countries should adopt a people-centered approach to AI development and work together to build “a just and equitable system for global AI governance.”

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Xi outlined four key priorities for international cooperation on AI.

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First, he called for greater openness and collaboration to drive innovation, encouraging open-source development, technology sharing and wider industrial application of AI to boost global economic growth.

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Second, he emphasized the need for stronger safeguards to ensure AI remains secure and under human control. He urged governments to strengthen laws, regulatory frameworks, monitoring systems and emergency response mechanisms to prevent misuse of the technology while cautioning against using national security concerns to restrict international cooperation.

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Third, Xi advocated inclusive AI development that respects cultural diversity and promotes exchanges among civilizations rather than undermining different cultures and values.

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Fourth, he called for enhanced multilateral cooperation under the United Nations to establish internationally accepted AI governance rules, technical standards and regulatory frameworks, while supporting developing countries in building AI capacity and narrowing the global digital divide.

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Highlighting China’s domestic AI development, Xi said the country’s core smart economy industries are now valued at more than one trillion yuan, with AI playing an increasingly important role in manufacturing, public services and daily life.

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He said China has also strengthened its regulatory and ethical framework to ensure AI develops in a safe, secure and controllable manner.

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Xi said China remains committed to contributing to global AI governance, citing initiatives including the Global AI Governance Initiative, the United Nations General Assembly resolution on enhancing international cooperation in AI capacity building, and the AI Capacity Building Action Plan for Good and for All.

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He also described the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) in Shanghai as a significant milestone in global AI cooperation, saying it reflects growing international collaboration, particularly among developing countries.

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To support global AI development, Xi announced that China would, over the next five years, provide 5,000 training and seminar opportunities in artificial intelligence for developing countries.

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He also pledged to establish international AI application cooperation centres with regional organizations including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS.

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In addition, Xi said China would enable 30 countries to use its AI-powered meteorological early warning system, known as MAZU, to strengthen disaster preparedness.

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He concluded by urging the international community to ensure AI development remains guided by human wisdom, international consensus and effective governance.

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“AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation,” Xi said, reaffirming China’s commitment to working with other nations to harness AI for the benefit of humanity.

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