Xi urges inclusive AI governance, warns of 'new historical injustices'

Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on Friday, using the platform to articulate Beijing's vision for global AI governance. As reported by Dawn and the South China Morning Post, Xi promoted open-source technology, pledged to help developing nations build AI capabilities, and warned against the emergence of "new historical injustices" from unequal access to the technology.

Dawn described the speech as Xi's clearest articulation yet of China's ambition to shape global AI governance, framing open-source models as a global public good and positioning Beijing as an alternative to Washington. Xi drew a comparison between AI's significance and the invention of the steam engine and electricity, according to Dawn, and outlined a vision in which China shares AI technology and expertise with countries across the Global South.

The South China Morning Post reported that Xi's speech came just moments after US President Donald Trump delivered what the outlet called an "unprecedented attack" against Beijing during a prime-time national broadcast, accusing China of orchestrating the "largest compromise of election data in history." The same report noted Xi's call for greater support for the Global South and a more open, inclusive approach to AI development.

Xi also urged countries to strengthen risk awareness and ensure that AI is "secure and controllable," according to the South China Morning Post, which quoted him as saying: "We should jointly oppose overstretching the national security concept in the field of AI or placing one country's security over that of others." Dawn similarly reported that Xi called for AI systems to remain under human control and urged countries to establish early-warning and emergency-response mechanisms to manage AI risks.

TASS — English, the Russian state news agency, focused on Xi's remarks about inclusivity and civilizational diversity. Xi was quoted as saying: "We must encourage inclusivity and facilitate the joint development of civilizations, while the development and use of artificial intelligence must not harm global civilizational diversity and unique national cultures." He also called for ensuring that the values shaping artificial intelligence are aligned with universal values, according to TASS.

Coverage comparison

The three outlets that covered the event — Dawn, the South China Morning Post, and TASS — highlighted different aspects of Xi's address. Dawn emphasized China's ambition to challenge US influence over AI governance and framed the speech as a call to action for global cooperation. The South China Morning Post paired Xi's remarks with Trump's attack on China, placing the speech within the context of US-China tech rivalry. TASS focused narrowly on Xi's statements about civilizational diversity and universal values, without reference to the US.

All three outlets agreed on Xi's core warning against "new historical injustices." However, only Dawn reported that Xi promoted open-source technology and that China planned to help developing nations build AI capabilities. The South China Morning Post was the sole source for the claim that Trump delivered an attack on China during a prime-time broadcast, and also reported Xi's call for greater support for the Global South. TASS was alone in quoting Xi's remarks on civilizational diversity and universal values.

Dawn also reported that Beijing-based startup Moonshot AI unveiled Kimi K3, described as the world's largest open AI model by parameter count, on the same day. This detail was not mentioned by the other two outlets. Dawn additionally reported that Pakistan joined the World AI Cooperation Organisation as a founding member, a claim carried only by that outlet.

Key claims

  • Xi Jinping spoke at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, as reported by all three outlets.
  • Xi warned against the creation of "new historical injustices" from unequal access to AI, reported by Dawn and the South China Morning Post.
  • Xi promoted open-source technology and challenged US influence over AI governance, as reported by Dawn.
  • China plans to help developing nations build AI capabilities, according to Dawn.
  • Xi called for greater support for the Global South and a more open approach to AI development, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
  • Xi urged countries to strengthen risk awareness and ensure AI is "secure and controllable," according to the South China Morning Post.
  • Xi said AI should not erode global civilizational diversity, as reported by TASS.
  • Xi called for AI values to align with universal values, according to TASS.
  • US President Donald Trump delivered an attack on China during a prime-time national broadcast, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
  • China unveiled the world's largest open AI model by parameter count, according to Dawn, which named Moonshot AI's Kimi K3.
  • Pakistan joined the World AI Cooperation Organisation as a founding member, as reported by Dawn only.