Reported by: Prince Saah
China – Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the creation of a “just and equitable” global artificial intelligence governance system on Friday, July 18, and announced several important international initiatives, including the official founding of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) and increased AI support for developing countries.
In his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, Xi urged the international community to prioritize collaboration over technological competition to ensure that artificial intelligence advances rather than threatens humankind.
“We should join hands to build a just and equitable system for global AI governance, warning that the rapid advancement of AI presents both unprecedented opportunities and serious risks requiring coordinated global oversight,” Xi declared.
One of the conference’s most important announcements was Xi’s confirmation that China will expand its AI-powered meteorological early warning system, MAZU, to 30 countries, establish international AI application cooperation centers with regional organizations like the African Union, ASEAN, BRICS, and the League of Arab States, and offer 5,000 AI training and seminar opportunities for developing nations over the next five years.
The creation of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), which has its headquarters in Shanghai, was also praised by Xi as a historic achievement that responds to pleas from developing countries for a more inclusive approach to global AI governance.
“AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation,” Xi said, adding that the new organization would help coordinate international collaboration on AI development, governance standards and capacity building.
The Chinese leader outlined four principles that he believed should guide AI governance going forward: fostering innovation and openness; making sure AI is safe and under human control; safeguarding cultural diversity while fostering cross-cultural learning; and promoting multilateral cooperation within the framework of the United Nations.
He opposed what he called the “overstretching” of national security concerns in AI competition and warned against the misuse of AI technologies. He also asked for better regulatory frameworks, technological monitoring systems, and emergency response procedures to prevent malevolent use.
Xi stressed that developing countries must not be left behind in the global AI revolution and that AI should serve as a catalyst for shared prosperity rather than exacerbate technical inequality. China’s expanding AI industry was also highlighted in the speech, with Xi stating that the nation’s key smart economy sectors are currently worth more than RMB1 trillion.
He pointed to developments in smart devices, intelligent manufacturing, and the government’s AI Plus Initiative as proof of China’s dedication to incorporating AI into social and economic advancement while upholding high safety and moral standards.
Xi reiterated Beijing’s readiness to collaborate with all nations to develop global norms and increase practical cooperation, positioning China as a leading proponent of inclusive AI governance and emphasizing that AI must ultimately continue to be “for the positive, for good and for humanity.”
At a time when competition over emerging technologies is rapidly influencing international relations, his speech indicates China’s determination to play a key role in designing the future global AI governance architecture.
The meeting takes place as governments around the world scramble to create regulations controlling the quickly rising AI sector amid escalating worries about jobs, security, ethics, and the growing digital divide between developed and developing countries.
