China Urges Global Consensus on AI Regulation at WAIC 2025
Without international agreement, Chinese Premier Li Qiang cautioned, AI may turn into a “exclusive game” for a select group of nations and businesses. Days have passed since US President Donald Trump announced promises to reduce regulations.
As Beijing and Washington engage in a fierce tech race, Chinese Premier Li Qiang called on the international community on Saturday to forge a global agreement on AI regulation, pointing out security concerns.
In his remarks at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) opening in Shanghai, Li stated that it is wise to consider “how to find a balance between development and security [which] urgently requires further consensus from the entire society.”
Additionally, Li declared that a Chinese-led organisation would be established to encourage international AI collaboration and open-source development in order to prevent AI from becoming “the preserve of a few countries and a few enterprises.”
What technology rivalry exists between China and the United States? The three-day WAIC event coincides with growing competition between China and the United States in cutting-edge AI technology.
Washington continues to impose restrictions on the export of high-end chips to China, citing national security concerns, while US President Donald Trump just days earlier announced that AI regulations would be slashed to preserve the US’ leadership in the field.
Due to these limitations, Chinese businesses are being forced to find alternatives. In January, DeepSeek, a firm, unveiled an AI model that, although using less sophisticated CPUs, equalled the performance of top.
Li denounced monopolistic control and advocated for free access to AI technologies, citing a shortage of AI processors and other limitations on talent exchange without mentioning the US.
“Only by adhering to openness, sharing and fairness in access to intelligence can more countries and groups benefit from (AI),” remarked the president.
“International cooperation is tested by AI.” In a video message during the WAIC opening ceremony, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that regulating AI would be “a defining test of international cooperation.” Over 800 businesses are exhibiting over 3,000 technological advancements at this year’s WAIC.
International corporations like US-based Tesla, Alphabet, and Amazon are also present, even though Chinese giants like Huawei and Alibaba are the primary newcomers.
