BEIJING, – Chinese President Xi Jinping took a leading role at Saturday’s APEC summit, advocating for the creation of a global organization to oversee artificial intelligence (AI) governance. His proposal aims to position China as a counterbalance to the United States in shaping international trade and technology cooperation.
This marked Xi’s first public endorsement of the initiative, which China introduced earlier this year. The United States, however, has opposed international regulation of AI.
Xi proposed the establishment of a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization to develop governance frameworks and foster global collaboration, describing AI as a “public good for the international community.” According to remarks published by state-run Xinhua News Agency, Xi emphasized that AI holds significant potential for future development and should serve the interests of people worldwide.
Chinese authorities have suggested that the proposed organization could be headquartered in Shanghai, the country’s commercial capital. U.S. President Donald Trump was notably absent from the summit held in Gyeongju, South Korea, having returned to Washington following a bilateral meeting with Xi. That meeting resulted in a one-year agreement to ease trade and technology restrictions, which had previously heightened tensions between the two economic superpowers.
In Trump’s absence, analysts anticipated that Xi would use the APEC platform to promote China’s vision of multilateral trade and economic cooperation. While U.S.-based Nvidia remains central to the global AI surge with its advanced chips, Chinese firm DeepSeek has introduced more affordable models, aligning with Beijing’s push for “algorithmic sovereignty.”
Xi also called on APEC to support the free flow of green technologies—industries such as solar panels and batteries where China holds a dominant position. During the summit, APEC members reached consensus on a joint declaration and agreements addressing AI and the challenges posed by aging populations.
China is set to host the 2026 APEC summit in Shenzhen, a city that has transformed from a small fishing village into a major manufacturing hub, particularly in robotics and electric vehicles, since becoming one of China’s first special economic zones in the 1980s.
APEC comprises 21 member economies and accounts for half of global trade, serving as a key platform for regional dialogue and cooperation.
Found this article interesting? Follow us on X(Twitter) ,Threads and FaceBook to read more exclusive content we post.
