NewsFlash Articles Data Fundraising BlockBeats Pro

WAIC Real-time Update | President Xi Jinping Announces Major AI Initiative in China

Read this article in 7 Minutes

President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of WAIC 2026 and mentioned in his keynote speech that the development of artificial intelligence should not be a solo by any specific country but a symphony of global cooperation.

The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and the High-Level Forum on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence were held in Shanghai from July 17 to 20 and officially opened today. President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the conference and delivered a keynote speech.

This is the first time in the history of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference that the President of a country has attended and delivered a keynote speech, fully demonstrating the conference's caliber and influence. It also sends a signal that artificial intelligence, as the core driving force of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation elevated to the national strategic level, is of great importance.

Xi Jinping Attends WAIC for the First Time: Development of Artificial Intelligence Should Not Become a Solo Performance by Any Country

Today, President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the High-Level Forum on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence, where he mentioned in his keynote speech, "The Chinese people often say, 'A single string cannot make a melody, and a single tree does not make a forest.' The development of artificial intelligence should not be a solo performance by any country but should be a global symphony of cooperation, encouraging open source, openness, collaboration, and sharing, allowing AI to be used in all industries."

He also called for ensuring that AI always remains under human control. Countries should establish a system of laws and regulations, technical monitoring, risk warnings, and emergency responses to prevent the misuse of AI.

Xi Jinping also opposed the generalization of the concept of national security, prioritizing one's own national security over that of other countries. AI should not undermine the cultural characteristics of countries and the diversity of world civilizations.

China will cooperate with countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the BRICS countries to help developing countries build AI capabilities, avoiding AI creating new global inequalities. The competition between China and the United States in AI is shifting from chips and models to open-source pathways and global rules.

Xi Jinping Announces Major Initiatives for China's Support of Global Artificial Intelligence Development

Today, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the High-Level Forum on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence at the Shanghai World Expo Center and delivered a keynote speech.

Xi Jinping pointed out that with the joint efforts of all parties, the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization was born in Shanghai. This is a significant move by China in response to the global call from the Global South, uniting the international community to actively promote the development and governance of artificial intelligence, and will become an important milestone in the history of artificial intelligence development.

Xi Jinping announced that to further support global artificial intelligence development and promote the construction of global AI capabilities, in the next 5 years, China will provide 5,000 AI-themed training slots for developing countries; establish International AI Application Cooperation Centers for ASEAN, the Arab League, the African Union, CELAC, SCO, and BRICS countries; promote the meteorological smart warning system "Mazu" to be implemented in 30 countries, watching over countless households and safeguarding peace across the world.

China Leads Formation of Global AI Organization with Headquarters in Shanghai, Joined by 29 Countries

Today, 29 countries signed an agreement to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, an intergovernmental international organization headquartered in Shanghai.

Founding members include China, Russia, Brazil, Cuba, Serbia, among others, with 10 African countries and 12 Asian countries participating.

The organization will promote international cooperation, capacity building, and global governance in AI. China proposed the establishment of this organization last year and has now officially gained the support of the initial members.

China hopes to use open-source models and technology training to help lower the AI adoption barrier for developing countries globally. The China-U.S. AI competition has further expanded from companies and products to international organizations and rule-making.