China has unveiled two key strategies at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC): achieving self-reliance in AI technology and asserting leadership in international AI governance. President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony for the first time since the conference's inception in 2018, marking a direct challenge to the U.S.-led AI order by launching an intergovernmental organization with participation from 29 countries.
According to industry sources, the 2026 WAIC and a high-level meeting on AI global governance, themed "Intelligent Partners, Creating the Future Together," commenced on July 17 at the Shanghai Expo Exhibition Center and two other venues.
The event will run until July 20, covering an exhibition area of approximately 100,000 square meters, featuring over 1,100 companies showcasing more than 3,000 products, including around 300 world premieres. There will be more than 140 forums, with approximately 1,400 international attendees.
A key highlight was Xi's message during his keynote address. He emphasized the importance of ensuring AI is controllable and expressed opposition to the broad application of national security concepts in the AI sector.
Xi also called for the swift establishment of a global governance framework based on broad consensus and announced plans to provide AI training opportunities for 5,000 individuals from developing countries over the next five years. He outlined plans to build international AI application cooperation centers targeting ASEAN, the Arab League, the African Union, and BRICS nations, positioning China against U.S. semiconductor and AI export controls by advocating against "technological blockades" and seeking to rally support from the Global South.
Institutional measures were also activated. On July 16, a signing ceremony for the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) took place. WAICO, an independent intergovernmental organization adhering to the purposes of the UN Charter, will be headquartered in Shanghai and has been signed into existence by representatives from 29 countries, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, and Pakistan. The opening ceremony featured notable attendees such as Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, effectively turning the event into a platform for "AI diplomacy."
From an industrial perspective, achievements in technological self-reliance were prominently displayed. Huawei unveiled its Ascend chip-based AI computing supernode system, the "Atlas 950 Superpod," for the first time. Instead of competing on single-chip performance due to U.S. regulations, the company aims to find breakthroughs through large-scale chip clustering. Numerous humanoid robots and AI agent terminals from companies like Unitree were also showcased. The National Development and Reform Commission of China reported that the country's AI-related industry surpassed 1 trillion yuan last year and is expected to grow by over 30% this year.
However, market perspectives are mixed. While the U.S. focuses on regulatory easing and speed, China emphasizes establishing standards and norms, leading some to view this conference more as a display of power than a platform for substantive governance agreements.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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