China Calls for a Global Alliance to Govern Artificial Intelligence

Date: July 26, 2025

Shanghai – China has issued a major international appeal to create a unified global organization dedicated to governing the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI). The proposal, presented by Premier Li Qiang at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), signals China’s growing ambition to shape the future of AI on a global scale.

A Call for Unified AI Governance

Premier Li characterized the current state of AI advancement as fragmented and overly dominated by a small group of nations and corporations. He warned that without a coordinated international approach, innovation would remain siloed and exclusive.

“The world must work together to ensure that artificial intelligence serves all of humanity, not just a privileged few,” Li stated during his keynote address in Shanghai.

Blueprint for a Global AI Organization

China’s proposal outlines the creation of an intergovernmental body that would facilitate dialogue, develop universal safety standards, and promote shared technological progress. A 13-point action plan was released to accompany the initiative. Key priorities include:

• Establishing UN-affiliated mechanisms for discussion

• Creating a robust global safety governance framework

• Promoting open-source access and international collaboration

• Strengthening AI infrastructure, including green data centers and advanced networks

Shanghai Positioned as a Global Hub

As part of the diplomatic push, China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu extended invitations to more than 30 countries to engage with the proposal. Nations including Germany, South Korea, Russia, Qatar, and South Africa are reportedly part of the early consultations. China has proposed Shanghai as the organization’s potential headquarters, further signaling its desire to play a central role in international tech leadership.

Reaching Out to the Global South

A significant component of the proposal emphasizes inclusivity—especially for developing economies. China pledged to share access to cutting-edge models developed by its leading AI firms, including Alibaba and DeepSeek, and to foster cooperative platforms that allow emerging economies to benefit from AI’s transformative potential.

Regional Efforts Lay the Groundwork

The call for a global body follows regional efforts, such as China’s outreach to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Earlier this year, China hosted the SCO AI Cooperation Forum, where member states were invited to collaborate on education, research, and joint development initiatives.

Geopolitics and the Tech Divide

This global overture arrives at a time of sharp technological divergence between China and the United States. With Washington continuing to tighten export controls on semiconductor technologies and AI chips—targeting firms like Nvidia—Beijing is seeking new diplomatic pathways to assert its influence and offer an alternative vision of global tech governance.

Outlook: Potential and Hurdles Ahead

While the proposal has generated significant interest, experts caution that turning it into a functional international institution will require overcoming deep geopolitical mistrust—particularly from Western countries wary of Chinese leadership in sensitive technologies.

Nonetheless, China’s move underscores a growing consensus: AI is too powerful and far-reaching to be left without a global framework. Whether Beijing’s vision gains traction or spurs rival frameworks remains to be seen.