Xi Urges Global AI Collaboration with New Chinese Alliance
AI research should be a “symphony of global collaboration” rather than a “solo performance” by a single nation, according to Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday. Xi made these remarks during the inauguration of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, which stands as China’s most significant annual event in the AI industry, held in Shanghai. “With AI advancing at a staggering speed, we must ensure its development is positive, for the good and for humanity,” he said. It must be guided by human wisdom and international consensus, he stated. In a bid to bolster AI advancement over the next five years, China plans to extend its support to developing nations, including members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Arab League, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the African Union, Latin America, and BRICS countries.
This initiative will encompass 5,000 AI research projects, alongside training, seminar programmes, and the establishment of “cooperation centres,” as reported. Earlier, 29 countries formalised an agreement in Shanghai to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation. The WAICO will function as an independent intergovernmental international organization, with its headquarters located in Shanghai, as reported by source. Representatives from 29 countries, including Kazakhstan, Laos, Pakistan, Russia, and Indonesia, alongside China, have signed the agreement, thereby establishing their nations as the founding members of WAICO. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, was present at the signing ceremony alongside representatives from various countries and international organisations.
The organisation will uphold the purposes of the UN Charter, commit to extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, and adhere to a people-centred approach, according to the agreement, Xinhua report said. In recent years, China has achieved significant advancements in various frontier technologies, including artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and battery technology. This progress has been bolstered by substantial state support, a vast domestic market, robust manufacturing capabilities, and a considerable pool of engineers. China has positioned artificial intelligence as a national strategic priority, with the objective of establishing itself as the preeminent global hub for AI innovation. This ambition is supported by substantial government investments in research, computing infrastructure, semiconductor development, and the cultivation of talent.
China has established itself as the leading producer and exporter of electric vehicles, with its EV industry experiencing significant growth over the last ten years. Analysts indicate that China’s advancements in artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and battery technology are designed to transition the nation from a manufacturing-centric economy to a significant player in technological innovation. This shift occurs amidst formidable competition from the United States, European Union, South Korea, and Japan, as well as the challenges posed by American export restrictions on cutting-edge AI chips.
