China’s Xi Jinping launches new AI alliance: What is it?

Published 17 July 2026 · tech

Beijing is likely to use the WAICO alliance to influence global AI regulations, analysts say. It was an artificial intelligence summit with very real-world geopolitical

Beijing is likely to use the WAICO alliance to influence global AI regulations, analysts say. It was an artificial intelligence summit with very real-world geopolitical messaging. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday urged countries to cooperate on artificial intelligence and ensure no country dominates the technology – in an apparent jab at the United States. Xi spoke at a major tech conference in Shanghai on Friday, where China showcased cutting-edge technology that rivals the prowess of the US. Both countries are locked in a battle for tech and AI dominance and view each other’s advancements in these areas as deliberate attempts to stymie the other. As Chinese AI models gain ground globally, Beijing appears to be casting itself as a leader of the new global AI order, challenging the US’s influence in the development and regulation of the fast-evolving technology. At the heart of that strategy is a new coalition of 29 nations that China announced on Thursday, called the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), in a high-level event where attendees included United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Here’s what we know What did Xi say? Xi, while speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, called on countries to embrace the “historic opportunity” provided by open-source AI. He said that China has played a role in ensuring equitable access to AI capacity-building for developing countries to prevent the creation of “new historical injustices” and announced Beijing’s plans to continue cooperating with countries across Africa, Latin America and Asia.

“AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation,” Xi said. “We should jointly oppose overstretching the national security concept in the field of AI or placing one country’s security over that of others.” Xi also stressed the need for a “people-centred” approach to AI that ensures that “AI is always under human control” using safeguards such as regulations, technological monitoring, early warning and emergency response systems. What’s WAICO? The inter-governmental organisation was formally formed on July 16, although Beijing has touted a global AI alliance since last year. Its stated goals are to promote international cooperation and develop AI regulation across countries that ensure the technology is beneficial and safe for humans. Headquartered in Shanghai, WAICO’s 29 member founding countries include several major Global South nations, including Indonesia, Brazil, Malaysia, South Africa, Senegal, Russia and Pakistan. Analysts speculate that Beijing will likely use the alliance to shape how AI policies are framed at the UN. Why does this matter? AI is an important pillar of China’s industrial policy. Beijing has invested massively in building a self-sustained domestic ecosystem, from chip production to consumer use. That has spurred a “Chip War” with the US as both race to control the production of chip-based technology like advanced military weapons and AI-powered systems.