According to a Reuter’s report, China has intensified its bid to shape the future of artificial intelligence by proposing a new global organisation for AI governance, as geopolitical rivalry with the United States sharpens.
At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, which began Saturday, Chinese officials called for collective international regulation of AI technologies, while offering to share the country’s advances—particularly with developing economies in the Global South.
The three-day event attracted over 800 firms and thousands of experts, with China positioning itself as a counterbalance to US-led initiatives.
While avoiding direct references to the United States, Chinese Premier Li Qiang warned against the monopolisation of AI by a select few countries and companies.
Beijing’s message focused on openness, equal access, and global participation, contrasting sharply with ongoing Western export restrictions.
Governance plan invites 30+ nations
Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu told delegates from more than 30 countries—including Germany, Qatar, Russia, and South Korea—that China was considering establishing the AI body’s headquarters in Shanghai.
He said the proposed organisation would encourage international collaboration on AI development, standard-setting, and open-source exchange.
As part of this push, the Chinese foreign ministry released a comprehensive action plan on global AI governance. The plan invites participation from governments, research institutions, businesses, and international organisations.
It also proposes building a cross-border open-source community for AI systems, signalling China’s intent to play a larger role in shaping international AI norms.
China pushes global AI body at WAIC
The WAIC conference came just days after the Trump administration in the US released its own AI blueprint. The plan aims to scale up American AI exports to allied nations, underlining Washington’s commitment to retaining technological superiority over China in this critical field.
The AI race is already shaped by aggressive export controls. Washington has barred Chinese access to high-end AI chips and advanced chipmaking equipment, particularly those produced by companies like Nvidia.
These restrictions are intended to curb China’s military applications of AI and have significantly slowed the supply of top-tier hardware to the country.
Still, Chinese firms have continued to make domestic breakthroughs. Several of these developments have triggered scrutiny from US authorities, who remain wary of China’s AI capabilities and its global influence.
800+ firms showcase AI in Shanghai
Despite trade restrictions and geopolitical friction, the WAIC 2025 conference saw participation from over 800 companies, with more than 3,000 AI-focused products and 60 intelligent robots on display.
The event showcased 40 large language models and 50 AI-powered devices, with a heavy presence from Chinese firms like Huawei, Alibaba, and humanoid robot maker Unitree.
International players also had a presence. Tesla, Alphabet, and Amazon took part in exhibitions, though Elon Musk did not make his customary appearance at the opening ceremony this year.
In contrast, attendees included France’s AI envoy Anne Bouverot, renowned computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton, and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
While the exhibition floor remained largely China-centric, the tone of the conference aimed at internationalism, with China asserting its role as a potential leader of AI governance.
Fragmented global rules prompt call for unified AI regulation
Premier Li emphasised that the global AI landscape remains fragmented, with regulatory frameworks diverging significantly across jurisdictions. He pointed to ongoing challenges such as AI chip shortages and restricted talent exchange as barriers to fair development.
China’s call to create a consensus-based AI governance framework comes amid growing concerns about how to balance innovation with safety, especially in regions where surveillance, misinformation, and ethical concerns are mounting.
The Global South, in particular, stands to benefit from shared access to AI tools—something China says it is prepared to facilitate.
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