Xi pitches China as AI partner to developing world, warns against risks and security overreach

Livestream Menu Chinese President Xi Jinping said China will provide developing countries with 5,000 AI training and seminar opportunities over the next five years. Beijing will also expand AI cooperation with blocs including ASEAN, the African Union and BRICS. Xi called for a “people-centered” approach to AI governance and said AI should remain “secure and controllable,” while warning against putting one country’s security above others. SHANGHAI, CHINA - JULY 17: Chinese President Xi Jinping waves as he arrives at the opening ceremony for the World AI Conference on July 17, 2026 in Shanghai, China. (Photo -Pool/) Pool | News | Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday positioned China as a partner in artificial intelligence to the Global South, saying that countries should come together to build AI and help developing countries as well. Speaking at the World AI Conference in Shanghai, Xi announced that China will provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities in AI training and seminar programs, as well as develop AI cooperation with various blocs, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the League of Arab States and the African Union. "China is willing to work with all parties to seize and address the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence development with a more open attitude, more pragmatic actions, and a longer-term vision,," according to a Google translation of his speech in Mandarin. Xi said that AI development should not be a "solo performance" by a single country, but a "symphony of international cooperation" and China was "ready to be more open, take more practical actions, and assume a more visionary perspective." Xi's remarks came a day after 29 countries signed an agreement in Shanghai to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, or WAICO, which will be headquartered in the city, according to Chinese state media outlet Xinhua. Xi also urged to strengthen risk awareness, and ensure that AI was "secure and controllable," and was "always remains under human control," adding that countries should oppose "overstretching the national security concept in the field of AI, or placing one country's security over that of others." While the Chinese president did not name a specific country, the U. S. has implemented various export controls measures aimed at curbing China's access to high-end tech. S. began tightening restrictions during President Donald Trump's first term, including placing Huawei on the Commerce Department's Entity List in 2019. The Biden administration later introduced export controls in 2022 to restrict China's ability to buy advanced computing chips and manufacture advanced semiconductors, citing national security risks.