On Friday, July 17, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for enhanced cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) among developing countries to help close the international technology gap. The remarks were made during the opening of the World AI Conference held in Shanghai, where Beijing showcased its domestic advancements in AI technologies, including smartphones, chips, and supercomputing systems.

The event featured prominent leaders such as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who posed for a group photo with Xi before the conference commenced.

Xi's call for collaboration underscores China's ambition to position itself as a global leader in AI innovation and diplomacy, leveraging the forum to engage with regional partners and promote shared technological progress.

Sources