At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Chinese Premier Li Qiang called on the global community to form a shared and unified approach to managing AI development. He emphasized the urgent need to balance innovation with safety, saying it is time to move beyond fragmented rules that can limit access and create unfair advantages.
Why China Wants a Global AI Governance Framework
China argues that AI regulation remains too scattered, with different countries following their own rules. Premier Li warned that this patchwork of regulations may lead to monopolies by a few firms or countries and restrict access to technology globally. China’s proposal aims to ensure AI technology benefits everyone, especially nations in the Global South.
China’s foreign ministry released a 13-point governance plan backing a UN-led platform for AI dialogue. Among its key goals are promoting open-source AI, sharing innovation with developing countries, and ensuring a fair global tech environment.
China’s Plan for an International AI Body
China’s action plan includes creating a new AI cooperation organization, potentially based in Shanghai, to foster global coordination. Over 30 countries reportedly joined a roundtable supporting this idea. The body aims to bring together governments, tech companies, and researchers to set clear standards on safety, fairness, and transparency.
This push comes as China continues to promote its AI breakthroughs such as DeepSeek, a low-cost language model and encourage partnerships especially with Global South countries.
China Seeks to Invite Developing Countries into AI Growth
China has been emphasizing equal access to AI tools and technology. Officials state that AI should not become “the preserve of a few countries and firms.” They want global governance built through open innovation, shared research platforms, and resources for underrepresented regions. Chinese AI labs have even built datasets covering over 50 languages including those from Belt and Road partner countries.
Chinese diplomats at the United Nations also argued that no country should impose its rules on others. Instead, they called for respect, equality, and global cooperation in AI governance.
China’s Call Compares to Other International AI Moves
In November 2023, more than 28 nations signed the Bletchley Declaration at the UK’s AI Safety Summit, committing to shared principles on safe, human-centric AI. China was part of that agreement.
Earlier this year, France hosted the AI Action Summit in Paris. That event led to the Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable AI, signed by 58 countries, but notably excluded the U.S. and UK. China supported it fully and used these forums to push its own governance vision.
Meanwhile, a separate treaty known as the Framework Convention on AI, established by the Council of Europe in 2024, aims to ensure AI development respects rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Over 50 countries have now signed it.
China’s call aligns with these efforts but pushes toward a UN-led structure and broad global coordination under its proposed AI cooperation organization.
Why China’s Proposal Powerful for the Future of AI
China’s push at the Shanghai conference underlines how AI governance has become a global geopolitical issue. It recognizes that without global coordination, rapid AI growth could lead to misuse, unfair competition, and code of conduct fragmentation.
If a new international body forms under UN auspices, it could frame future AI rules—covering issues like safety standards for frontier models, content labeling, ethics, and open access promoting broader participation and more equitable technology sharing.
