Xi Jinping attends the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence.
Opening ceremony of the high-level meeting and delivery of a keynote address

2026-07-17 Source: “Study in China” Learning Platform

On the morning of July 17, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the High-Level Conference on Global AI Governance at the Shanghai World Expo Center, where he delivered a keynote address. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Jingwen.

SHANGHAI, July 17 (Xinhua) — On the morning of July 17, President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the High-Level Conference on Global AI Governance at the Shanghai World Expo Center, where he delivered a keynote address.

On the banks of the Huangpu River, a new wave is rising. The World’s Living Room is brimming with distinguished guests.

On the morning of July 17, President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the High-Level Conference on Global AI Governance at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Center, where he delivered a keynote address. Pictured here is President Xi posing for a group photo with heads of state, government leaders, heads of international organizations, and heads of national delegations in attendance. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yin Bogu.

Xi Jinping posed for a group photo with the heads of state, heads of government, heads of international organizations, and heads of national delegations in attendance.

Amid warm applause, Xi Jinping delivered a keynote address titled “Working Together to Build a Fair and Reasonable Global Governance System for Artificial Intelligence.”

On the morning of July 17, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the High-Level Conference on Global AI Governance at the Shanghai World Expo Center, where he delivered a keynote address. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Shen Hong.

Xi Jinping pointed out that, at present, the world is undergoing profound and accelerating changes unseen in a century, with a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation gaining momentum. Global innovation in artificial intelligence has entered an unprecedented period of dynamism, bringing both tremendous opportunities and governance challenges. Humanity must squarely confront the questions of our times: As machines begin to think, how should humans coexist with them? As algorithms take part in decision-making, how can we ensure security? As technology challenges ethical norms, how can governance keep pace? And as inequalities continue to widen, how can we achieve inclusive development? China believes that all countries should uphold a people-centered, forward-looking, and morally driven approach, making artificial intelligence a key driver of shared prosperity and collective security, and working together to build a fair and equitable global governance framework for AI.

Xi Jinping put forward four points in this regard:

First, we will uphold openness and win‑win cooperation to drive innovation and development. By seizing this rare historic opportunity, we will encourage open source and open collaboration, fostering shared benefits, and comprehensively advancing AI‑related technological innovation, industrial growth, and real‑world applications. We will coordinate efforts to transform and upgrade traditional industries, nurture and expand emerging sectors, and proactively plan for future‑oriented industries, ensuring that artificial intelligence empowers every sector and industry.

Second, we must strengthen risk awareness and ensure that risks remain safe and controllable. We should attach great importance to the various endogenous and derivative risks posed by artificial intelligence, promote the establishment of a comprehensive framework encompassing legal and regulatory frameworks, technological monitoring, risk early warning, and emergency response mechanisms, solidify the safety baseline, prevent misuse and abuse, and ensure that AI remains under human control at all times. We must jointly oppose the practice of broadly applying the concept of national security in the field of AI and of prioritizing one’s own national security over that of other countries.

Third, we should encourage inclusiveness and mutual learning among civilizations. By grounding the values of artificial intelligence in the shared values of all humanity, we can harness AI technologies to deepen understanding and foster greater tolerance across cultures, promote cross‑civilizational dialogue and mutual enrichment, and carefully cultivate a vibrant mosaic of diverse civilizations, each flourishing in its own way while contributing to the common good.

Fourth, we should champion solidarity and mutual assistance, and improve global governance. We must uphold true multilateralism, ensure the United Nations plays its vital role, and strengthen coordination and alignment on AI development strategies, governance frameworks, and technical standards. By doing so, we can promptly establish a globally agreed‑upon governance framework, enabling this cutting‑edge technology to better benefit humanity. We should also help countries of the Global South enhance their capacity-building efforts, bridge the digital and intelligence divide, promote sustainable development, and prevent the emergence of new historical injustices in the field of artificial intelligence.

On the morning of July 17, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the High-Level Conference on Global AI Governance at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Center, where he delivered a keynote address. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Huanchi.

Xi Jinping emphasized that this year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period. The plan outlines a blueprint for China’s economic and social development over the next five years and offers a host of opportunities to the international community. In recent years, China has pursued a dual approach that combines an efficient market with a proactive government, strengthened innovation in artificial intelligence technologies, and vigorously advanced the “AI Plus” initiative, fostering a healthy ecosystem in which diverse stakeholders coexist and thrive. The core sectors of the intelligent economy have already surpassed one trillion yuan, and “Made in China with Intelligence” has become another shining hallmark of Chinese‑style modernization. At the same time, China places equal emphasis on development and security, continuously refining relevant laws and regulations, policy frameworks, application standards, and ethical guidelines to ensure that AI is safe, reliable, and controllable. As a responsible major country, China remains committed to serving as a provider of global public goods in the field of artificial intelligence, consistently contributing Chinese solutions.

Xi Jinping pointed out that, thanks to the concerted efforts of all parties, the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence has been established in Shanghai. This represents a major initiative by China to respond to the call of the Global South and to unite the international community in actively advancing the development and governance of artificial intelligence, and it will mark an important milestone in the history of AI. To further support global AI development and strengthen international capacity-building in this field, over the next five years, China will offer 5,000 specialized training slots on AI to developing countries; establish international centers for AI application cooperation with ASEAN, the Arab League, the African Union, CELAC, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the BRICS countries; and promote the implementation of the “Mazu” intelligent weather‑alert system in 30 countries. China stands ready to adopt a more open stance, pursue more pragmatic actions, and maintain a longer‑term vision, working together with all parties to seize the opportunities and address the challenges posed by AI, and to join hands in building a brighter future for humanity.

Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Thai Prime Minister Anutin, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres each delivered remarks. They warmly congratulated the signing ceremony of the Agreement on the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization held in Shanghai, highly commended China’s significant contributions to advancing global AI governance, and enthusiastically endorsed the initiatives and measures put forward by President Xi Jinping. All parties emphasized that artificial intelligence holds the potential to become humanity’s greatest opportunity for development, while also posing inherent risks. China advocates for AI that is beneficial, inclusive, safe, and controllable; it actively supports developing countries in strengthening their capacity-building efforts and promotes international cooperation in AI, thereby demonstrating its responsibility as a major country. AI technologies should be shared and governed collectively by all nations, ensuring that their benefits are equitably extended to every country and serve the sustainable development of all humankind, thus bridging the global digital divide and narrowing the North–South development gap. The opportunities and challenges posed by AI transcend national borders, calling for concerted collaboration among all stakeholders to seize them and address them effectively. It is hoped and believed that the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization will play a pivotal role in this endeavor, fostering an open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial partnership to jointly build a secure, prosperous future in which no country is left behind.

The conference issued the “Chair’s Statement of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the High-Level Conference on Global AI Governance.”

On the morning of July 17, President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and the High-Level Conference on Global AI Governance at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Center, where he delivered a keynote address. Pictured here is the welcome banquet hosted by President Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, for international guests at the World Expo Exhibition Center on the evening of July 16. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Ye.

On the evening of July 16, Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, hosted a welcome banquet for the international dignitaries in attendance at the World Guesthouse.

Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi, and others attended the aforementioned events.

Chen Jining presided over the opening ceremony. (Reporters Wang Yongqian and Yang Yijun)

Editor-in-charge: Zhang Yanfu