Speaking to a diverse audience of policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders, Li emphasized China’s desire to promote equal access to AI technology and to prevent its monopolization by a handful of nations or corporations. While he did not directly name the United States, Li’s remarks echoed China’s growing unease over Washington’s increasingly assertive efforts to limit Beijing’s access to advanced AI technologies.
“There is a risk that AI becomes the exclusive game of a few,” Li warned, adding that China advocates for a world where every country, especially those in the Global South, has equal opportunity to benefit from AI’s transformative potential. “We are willing to share our development experience, products, and technologies with others,” he said.
Beijing’s latest proposal is widely viewed as a response to the United States’ own push to expand its AI influence. Just days earlier, the U.S. released a strategic blueprint aimed at boosting AI exports to allied countries, part of a broader agenda to maintain technological dominance and contain China’s rise in the sector.
As AI rapidly evolves and reshapes industries and societies, calls for a global regulatory framework have intensified. Premier Li acknowledged that international governance remains fragmented, citing differences in regulatory philosophies and institutional models among nations. He called for accelerated efforts to build a “broad consensus” on global AI governance, highlighting bottlenecks such as limited access to AI chips and barriers to talent mobility.
The Shanghai conference, which spans three days, arrives at a time of intensifying technological rivalry between the world’s two largest economies. Washington has imposed sweeping export controls on China, targeting cutting-edge chips and manufacturing equipment, primarily from companies like Nvidia. U.S. officials argue that such technologies could bolster China’s military capabilities.
Despite these restrictions, Chinese companies have continued to make significant strides in AI, fueling concerns in Washington and reinforcing the urgency of Beijing’s proposal to shape global standards.
Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu reinforced China’s message during a closed-door roundtable with representatives from over 30 countries, including Russia, South Africa, Qatar, South Korea, and Germany. He revealed that Beijing is considering Shanghai as the headquarters for the proposed international AI cooperation body. Ma stressed the importance of "pragmatic cooperation" and international collaboration, particularly through cross-border open-source platforms and exchange programs.
The Chinese foreign ministry also released an action plan for global AI governance, inviting governments, international organizations, enterprises, and academic institutions to participate. The document outlines goals for establishing a multilateral, inclusive AI ecosystem and promoting transparency, safety, and ethics in AI research and deployment.
This year’s WAIC features participation from over 800 companies, with more than 3,000 AI-related products on display. Attendees include both Chinese tech giants such as Huawei, Alibaba, and humanoid robotics firm Unitree, as well as global firms like Tesla, Amazon, and Google’s parent company, Alphabet. Among the speakers were prominent figures like Geoffrey Hinton—widely recognized as the “Godfather of AI”—former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and Anne Bouverot, the French president’s special envoy for AI.
Notably absent this year was Elon Musk, who in previous editions of the conference had made appearances, either in person or via video.
As the conference continues, China’s proposal for a global AI organization may set the stage for a new chapter in international tech diplomacy. While it remains to be seen how the world will respond, Beijing’s call for inclusivity and shared development underscores its desire to play a central role in shaping the future of AI.