Xi Backs Shanghai AI Governance Body After 29-Country Deal
CNBC reported that Xi Jinping used a Shanghai AI speech to position China as a Global South technology partner after 29 countries signed an agreement to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization. The address named cooperation with ASEAN, the African Union and BRICS, but did not identify WAICO members, funding or enforcement powers.
A 29-country agreement to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization has put Shanghai at the centre of China's latest AI governance pitch, CNBC reported, after President Xi Jinping used a Friday speech to present China as a technology partner for the Global South.
The proposed body, known as WAICO, will be headquartered in Shanghai, according to Chinese state media outlet Xinhua.
Xi's speech also named AI cooperation with ASEAN, the African Union and BRICS, and described artificial intelligence development as international cooperation rather than a solo effort by one country.
Shanghai Agreement Names WAICO Headquarters
The WAICO agreement was signed one day before Xi's remarks at the World AI Conference.
The report did not list the 29 countries or describe the organisation's planned voting rules, funding model or enforcement powers.
Xi's speech positioned China as an AI partner for developing countries.
The cooperation language covered regional and international blocs, while the agreement placed the new organisation in Shanghai rather than in an existing multilateral forum.
Xi Warns Against Security Overreach In AI
The speech urged stronger risk awareness and called for AI to remain secure, controllable and under human control.
Xi also opposed stretching the national security concept in AI or placing one country's security above that of others.
The remarks were set against US export controls on advanced technology.
The report noted that Washington placed Huawei on the Commerce Department's Entity List in 2019 and that the Biden administration introduced 2022 controls restricting China's ability to buy advanced computing chips and make advanced semiconductors.
Governance Details Remain Outside The Public Record
China's AI message combined a cooperation offer to developing countries with a response to technology restrictions.
Nvidia's public filing, quoted by CNBC, warned that export controls had affected competitive positioning and contributed to an AI infrastructure supply shift.
The public record does not identify the 29 WAICO signatories or define the organisation's enforcement powers.
