Xi Jinping Calls for Global AI Cooperation at Shanghai Summit — 29 Nations Sign New Pact

In a landmark address that could reshape the global AI landscape, Chinese President Xi Jinping took the stage at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on Friday, delivering a sweeping vision for international cooperation on artificial intelligence — while subtly pushing back against what Beijing sees as Washington's dominance in the sector.

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Xi's First WAIC Appearance Signals Beijing's AI Ambitions

For the first time, China's head of state personally attended the annual AI summit in Shanghai, a four-day event running from July 17 to 20 that brings together policymakers, researchers, and tech executives from around the world. Xi's presence underscores just how seriously Beijing takes artificial intelligence — not just as an economic driver, but as a strategic technology in an escalating tech rivalry with the United States.

"Seventy years ago, a group of young scholars proposed the concept of artificial intelligence for the first time at the Dartmouth workshop in New Hampshire," Xi said in his opening remarks. "Seven decades later, we are gathering by the Huangpu River to discuss how to promote AI globally for the positive, for good, and for humanity."

That framing is deliberate. By invoking the birthplace of AI in America while hosting the future of AI governance in Shanghai, Xi positioned China as the natural heir to the collaborative spirit that defined AI's early days — a not-so-subtle jab at what Beijing characterizes as Washington's increasingly protectionist stance on technology.

Four Observations That Define China's AI Doctrine

Xi's keynote laid out four core principles that experts say will shape Beijing's approach to AI governance for years to come.

First, openness and win-win cooperation. Xi called for encouraging open source, collaboration, and sharing in AI development, urging countries to "seize this rare historic opportunity" to drive innovation across industries. He specifically highlighted the "AI Plus" initiative, which integrates artificial intelligence into traditional manufacturing, healthcare, education, and agriculture — sectors where China already holds significant advantages in data collection and real-world deployment.

Second, risk awareness and safety controls. Here's where Xi got pointed. He warned that AI "should be a trusted tool for humanity" and called for robust legal frameworks, monitoring systems, and emergency response mechanisms. Then came the direct shot: "We should jointly oppose overstretching the national security concept in the field of AI or placing one country's security over that of others."

That line is unmistakably aimed at the United States, which has imposed sweeping export controls on advanced AI chips and restricted American investment in Chinese AI companies — policies the Biden administration defended as necessary for national security.

Third, inclusiveness and cultural diversity. Xi argued that AI development should not "erode or undermine the diversity of world civilizations," a nod to concerns that Western-dominated AI models could impose cultural values on the rest of the world.

Fourth, solidarity and global governance. He called for "true multilateralism" centered on the United Nations, with coordinated AI development strategies, governance rules, and technical standards — a vision that places China at the table alongside the US, rather than outside the decision-making process.

29 Countries Sign World AI Cooperation Organization

The speech came just one day after 29 countries signed the agreement to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), an independent intergovernmental body headquartered in Shanghai. The signing ceremony on July 16, attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, marks the most significant multilateral AI initiative to emerge from China.

According to the agreement, WAICO will serve as a platform for international collaboration on AI research, standards development, and capacity building — with a specific focus on helping Global South countries bridge the widening digital divide. The founding members include a coalition of nations from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Notably absent: the United States and most of its Western allies. The absence underscores the growing bifurcation of global AI governance into competing spheres of influence. Washington has pursued its own AI framework through the G7's Hiroshima AI Process and bilateral agreements with allies like Japan, South Korea, and the UK.

Bridging the AI Divide — or Creating a New One?

Xi's speech placed heavy emphasis on supporting developing nations. "We must help Global South countries with capacity building to bridge the AI and digital divides, promote sustainable development, and prevent creating new historical injustice in AI," he said.

It's a powerful message — and a strategically smart one. By positioning China as the champion of the Global South's AI aspirations, Beijing offers an alternative to a US-led tech order that many developing nations see as exclusionary. China's Belt and Road Initiative has already wired much of the developing world with Chinese-built digital infrastructure; WAICO extends that influence into the governance layer.

Bloomberg framed it bluntly: "China-Led AI Body Enlists Global South States to Rival US." The message is clear — this isn't just about cooperation. It's about competition for who writes the rules of the most transformative technology since the internet.

What This Means

Xi's address at WAIC 2026 isn't just another diplomatic speech. It signals a fundamental shift in how Beijing intends to shape the global AI order. Here's what's actually happening beneath the surface:

China is building an alternative governance structure. WAICO directly challenges Western-led AI initiatives like the OECD's AI Principles and the EU's AI Act. By creating a China-led body with a majority-Global South membership, Beijing ensures that future AI standards will reflect its values — state oversight, data sovereignty, and collective security — rather than Western liberal norms.

The timing matters. This conference coincides with the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, which explicitly prioritizes AI as a core driver of economic growth. Xi's personal attendance signals that AI development is now a presidential-level priority, not just a ministerial talking point.

The "AI Plus" initiative is scaling up. Xi noted that China's core smart economy industries are already worth at least RMB 1 trillion (approximately $138 billion). That figure is expected to grow rapidly as AI is embedded into China's manufacturing base, healthcare system, and agricultural sector. For context, that's larger than the entire GDP of many countries.

The US-China AI rivalry just entered a new phase. With export controls limiting China's access to advanced chips, Beijing is pivoting to governance as a competitive arena. By writing the rules that developing nations adopt, China shapes the global AI ecosystem even without access to the most cutting-edge hardware. It's a classic strategic move: if you can't beat them on technology, beat them on architecture.

Global Reactions and the Road Ahead

Reactions to Xi's speech have been predictably split. Chinese state media hailed it as a "visionary blueprint for global AI governance." The Global Times reported that WAICO would "promote international cooperation and prevent the fragmentation of global AI standards."

Western analysts were more cautious. The South China Morning Post noted Xi's warning against "new historical injustices" while pointing out that China's own AI industry operates under strict state surveillance and censorship. Human rights groups have raised concerns that China's AI governance model could export digital authoritarianism under the guise of cooperation.

The 2026 World AI Conference continues through July 20, with panels on everything from humanoid robotics to AI in healthcare. But Xi's keynote has already set the tone: China is no longer just a participant in the global AI conversation. It's building its own table — and inviting the world to sit down.

The Bottom Line

Xi Jinping's address at WAIC 2026 marks a watershed moment in the geopolitics of artificial intelligence. The creation of WAICO with 29 founding members gives China a institutional vehicle to rival Western AI governance frameworks, while Xi's emphasis on Global South capacity building positions Beijing as the voice of developing nations in the AI race.

The question that remains unanswered: can the world sustain two competing AI governance systems without fragmenting the very collaboration needed to ensure AI develops safely? Or are we witnessing the digital equivalent of the Cold War — two superpowers building parallel systems, each claiming the moral high ground while racing to dominate the future?

That's the conversation we should be having. And right now, not enough people are having it.

— Jessica Ali, Staff Writer

Video: Associated Press