China Proposes Global AI Cooperation Group Amid U.S. Rivalry

Key Takeaways:

• China released a global AI governance action plan at WAIC, proposing a Shanghai-based cooperation organization.
  

• Premier Li Qiang warned against AI becoming an “exclusive game”, calling out monopolies and global regulatory fragmentation.
  

• The plan promotes open-source AI exchange and cross-border collaboration, especially in the Global South.
  

• More than 40 countries and organizations were invited to attend the four-day conference.
  

• The plan follows closely after the U.S. released its own AI strategy, revealing competing global visions.

China Proposes Global AI Cooperation Group as U.S.-China Tech Tensions Mount

China’s government has unveiled a comprehensive global action plan for artificial intelligence, calling for international coordination on AI development and governance. The announcement came just days after the United States released its own national AI strategy, further intensifying competition between the world’s two largest economies.

Speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Premier Li Qiang announced the proposal to create a Global AI Cooperation Organization, aimed at reducing fragmentation and promoting inclusive, multilateral AI development.

“Currently, overall global AI governance is still fragmented,” Li said. “Countries have great differences, particularly in terms of areas such as regulatory concepts [and] institutional rules.”

A Call for Global Coordination

Without naming the United States directly, Li warned of rising “technological monopolies” and restrictions that could turn artificial intelligence into “an exclusive game for a few countries and companies.”

“We should strengthen coordination to form a global AI governance framework that has broad consensus as soon as possible,” he added, noting that China would help create “a world AI cooperation organization.”

Li also referenced ongoing AI supply chain challenges, saying that innovation remains limited by “bottlenecks” such as access to high-performance computer chips.

China’s “AI Plus” initiative, announced at the same event, will aim to embed artificial intelligence across industries and sectors. The government said it is committed to sharing AI capabilities—particularly with developing nations in the Global South.

Also in attendance was former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who met with Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining ahead of the conference, according to a city announcement. A representative for Schmidt declined to comment.

According to China’s foreign ministry, the four-day conference and exhibition was expected to include high-level representatives from more than 40 countries and international organizations.

What China Is Proposing

• A Shanghai-based Global AI Cooperation Organization to coordinate ethical standards, technical norms, and cross-border collaboration.
  

• A 13-point global action plan encouraging cooperation among governments, international bodies, enterprises, and research institutions on AI infrastructure and governance.
  

• Support for data sharing, talent exchange, and capacity-building across national boundaries—especially in underdeveloped regions.
  

• A commitment to open-source development of AI tools and models, with contributions from major Chinese firms.

Positioning Against the U.S. Approach

The U.S. AI strategy, announced just days earlier, emphasizes deregulation, tech exports, and coalition-building with key allies such as Japan and Australia. It also maintains restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports to China.

China’s plan takes a sharply different position—calling for global consensus, open-source AI models, and a role for international institutions rather than national alliances. Analysts see the divide as emblematic of an emerging two-bloc system in global AI policy.

“The two camps are now being formed,” said George Chen, partner at the Asia Group and co-chair of the digital practice.

Q&A: China’s AI Global Plan

Q: What is China proposing at WAIC?
A: A Global AI Cooperation Organization, headquartered in Shanghai, to coordinate multilateral standards, ethics, and collaborative research.

Q: How does this differ from the U.S. strategy?
A: China's approach promotes inclusive global governance and open-source development, while the U.S. emphasizes deregulation, export controls, and working with like-minded allies.

Q: Who is the initiative aimed at?
A: It targets governments, international institutions, companies, and developing countries, with a strong emphasis on the Global South.

Q: What concerns did Premier Li raise?
A: He cited chip supply bottlenecks, technological monopolies, and the danger of AI becoming “an exclusive game” for only a few nations and companies.

What This Means

China’s AI action plan represents a deliberate effort to shape global governance on its own terms—through open cooperation, multilateral frameworks, and inclusive access. By contrast, the U.S. is consolidating a more alliance-based model built on strategic advantage.

With over 40 nations invited to the Shanghai conference, China is positioning itself as a convener of global AI policy dialogue, particularly appealing to countries outside traditional Western blocs. As the world’s AI infrastructure takes shape, these competing models may define who sets the rules—and who gets to benefit.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.