Lead

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for international cooperation in developing artificial intelligence, saying that the technology "should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation," as reported by Al Jazeera. Speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Xi emphasized the importance of a "people-centred" approach to AI technology and warned against "overstretching the national security concept" in the field of AI.

According to the South China Morning Post, Xi will attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai and deliver a keynote address, marking his first in-person appearance at the event since its launch in 2018. The conference, scheduled to begin on Friday, is set to feature more than 140 forums, 1,400 guests, and 1,100 exhibitors.

Coverage comparison

Two distinct angles emerge from the reporting. Al Jazeera focuses on Xi's call for global cooperation and the strategic context of China's AI growth, noting that Chinese AI models are gaining ground on US offerings, while restrictions imposed by the US and European Union on Chinese tech imports are driving competition. The South China Morning Post, conversely, emphasizes Xi's attendance at the WAIC as a signal of Beijing's growing priority on AI for economic growth, technological competitiveness, and global rule-setting.

The South China Morning Post reports that Xi previously sent a congratulatory letter to the inaugural WAIC, and that Premier Li Qiang attended the opening ceremonies in both 2024 and 2025. Both sources place the conference in Shanghai, with Al Jazeera describing the event as a showcase of cutting-edge technology, while the South China Morning Post provides details of the conference's scale and the government's focus on building a "new form of intelligent economy" as outlined in the 2026 government work report.

Key Claims

  • Xi's attendance and keynote: President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai and deliver a keynote address, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
  • Conference scale: The conference will feature more than 140 forums, 1,400 guests, and 1,100 exhibitors, according to the South China Morning Post.
  • Government focus: China's government work report for 2026 calls for building a "new form of intelligent economy" and expanding the country's "AI+" campaign, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
  • Xi's call for cooperation: Xi called for international cooperation in developing AI technology, urging that it not be dominated by any single country, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • People-centred approach: Xi emphasized the importance of a "people-centred" approach to AI technology in his keynote address, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Chinese AI progress: Chinese AI models are gaining ground on US offerings, attracting global users with lower costs, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Trade restrictions: The US and European Union have imposed restrictions on Chinese tech imports, citing national security concerns, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Energy advantage: China's access to an abundant supply of cheap electricity places it in a strong position to meet the energy demands of data centres running AI chips, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Perspectives

Chinese government (as presented by South China Morning Post): Official statements emphasize AI as a priority for economic growth and technological advancement, with the government report supporting a "new form of intelligent economy" and expanding the "AI+" campaign.

Chinese government (as presented by Al Jazeera): Xi's comments frame AI as a domain for international cooperation, with a "people-centred" approach and equitable access for developing countries to prevent "new historical injustices," while opposing "overstretching the national security concept" in AI.

International constraints (as presented by Al Jazeera): The US and EU have imposed restrictions on Chinese tech imports, citing national security, and there are debates over AI's use in military contexts and potential for criminal misuse.