China is calling for stronger AI governance to balance rapid technological advancement with global security. Speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on July 26, Premier Li Qiang warned that without a unified global response, artificial intelligence could pose significant risks. His remarks come as the U.S. accelerates its low-regulation AI strategy, intensifying the tech race between the two powers.
Premier Urges Responsible Innovation
Premier Li Qiang stressed the urgent need to find common ground on AI development and regulation. “The risks and challenges brought by artificial intelligence have drawn widespread attention,” he said. “How to find a balance between development and security urgently requires further consensus from the entire society.”
At the WAIC opening, Li announced plans to establish a Chinese-led international body for AI cooperation. He emphasized that global collaboration—especially through open-source platforms—would ensure wider benefits and reduce the danger of AI monopolies.
A Warning Against Tech Domination
In his address, Li criticized efforts to block access to AI technology. “If we engage in technological monopolies, controls, and blockage, artificial intelligence will become the preserve of a few countries and enterprises,” he stated.
Instead, he promoted openness and fairness, saying, “Only by adhering to openness, sharing, and fairness in access to intelligence can more countries and groups benefit.” This statement highlighted China’s desire to be seen as a leader in inclusive AI development, particularly for developing nations.
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Global Divide on AI Strategy
The WAIC conference took place just days after U.S. President Donald Trump launched a deregulation plan designed to speed up AI innovation. Trump pledged to “remove red tape and onerous regulation” that could limit private-sector breakthroughs. His move widened the already stark contrast between Beijing’s call for governance and Washington’s free-market approach.
The divide was visible earlier this year during the Paris AI summit. While China, France, India, the EU, and the African Union supported stronger coordination, the U.S. and the U.K. declined to sign a global appeal for open, inclusive, and ethical AI.
Technical Bottlenecks and Strategic Focus
Li Qiang acknowledged the obstacles China faces in building AI independence. “Insufficient supply of computing power and chips” remains a major bottleneck, he said. The issue is tied to Washington’s export controls, which aim to block high-end chips from reaching Chinese firms amid fears they could aid Beijing’s military.
Despite the constraints, China has made AI a central element of its self-reliance strategy. In January, Chinese startup DeepSeek drew international attention by unveiling an AI model that matched top U.S. systems—even while running on less powerful hardware.
Ethical Dilemmas and Security Risks
Speakers at the conference addressed broader ethical concerns. Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, often called the “godfather of AI,” compared the situation to raising a dangerous pet. “It’s like having a very cute tiger cub as a pet,” he said. “To survive, you need to train it not to kill you when it grows up.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed those concerns in a video message. He called AI governance a “defining test of international cooperation.” French envoy Anne Bouverot also pressed for faster global action.
Race to Control the Future
The rapid spread of AI across industries has created a high-stakes race to shape its future. From misinformation threats to job displacement and military applications, AI’s impact is wide-reaching. China’s latest call to action suggests it wants to position itself as a leader not just in technology, but in how that technology is managed.
Premier Li’s message was clear: cooperation, fairness, and open access must define the path forward. Without it, AI could become a powerful force concentrated in the hands of a few—driven not by shared goals, but by unchecked ambition.