Xi Jinping opened Shanghai's World AI Conference by calling for global AI cooperation.
Why it matters: The speech shows Beijing trying to shape AI rules and standards even as U.S. export curbs tighten access to advanced technology. That has implications for chipmakers, cloud providers, AI labs and governments setting AI policy.
- Xi delivered the keynote at the opening of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai on July 17.
- China said it will provide 5,000 AI training and seminar opportunities for developing countries over the next five years.
- The Chinese foreign ministry said China will set up AI application cooperation centers with ASEAN, the Arab League, the African Union, CELAC, the SCO and BRICS.
- Reuters reported ahead of the speech that Chinese authorities had discussed potentially restricting overseas access to some of China's most advanced AI models.
Xi used the Shanghai forum to present China as an advocate of international AI cooperation while the U.S. keeps tightening technology controls. In remarks reported by AP, he criticized what he described as the "overstretching" of national security concerns and said AI should not be dominated by any one country.
The Chinese foreign ministry said Xi opened the conference by framing AI development and governance as a shared global task. In a separate chair's statement, the conference called for stronger international cooperation on AI capacity-building and global governance. Foreign Ministry statement Chair's statement
Xi also laid out specific cooperation pledges. China will offer 5,000 AI training and seminar opportunities to developing countries over five years, and it plans to expand the MAZU AI-powered meteorological warning system to 30 countries. Foreign Ministry statement
The conference runs July 17-20 in Shanghai. Ahead of the speech, Reuters reported that Xi was expected to emphasize China's role in global AI governance and that Huawei was set to display its Atlas 950 SuperPoD AI computing system at the forum. Reuters also reported, citing sources, that Chinese authorities had discussed possible restrictions on overseas access to some of China's most advanced AI models. That reported plan remains unconfirmed in the conference statements. Reuters
By the numbers
- 5,000 - AI training and seminar opportunities China says it will provide to developing countries over five years.
- 30 - Countries where China says it will expand its MAZU AI-powered meteorological warning system.
Yes, but: The public pledges are confirmed, but Reuters' report about possible overseas model-access restrictions was cited from sources and not confirmed in the conference statements.
What's next: The World AI Conference runs through July 20 in Shanghai.