FILE – A Chinese flag flies from a ship at the Port of Oakland on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger,File)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for the establishment of a global artificial intelligence cooperation organization on Saturday, positioning Beijing as an alternative to Washington’s AI dominance just days after President Trump unveiled his low-regulation AI strategy. Speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Li warned that AI risks becoming “an exclusive game for a few countries and companies.”The premier emphasized China’s commitment to open-source AI development and promised to share technological advances with developing nations, particularly in the Global South. Li’s proposal comes as the world’s two largest economies engage in escalating technological competition, with AI emerging as a critical battleground.

Beijing challenges US tech restrictions

Without explicitly naming the United States, Li criticized what he described as technological monopolies and restrictions on AI development. His remarks directly counter the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan released Wednesday, which aims to maintain American supremacy in artificial intelligence while limiting access to advanced technologies, according to Reuters.Washington has imposed strict export controls on high-end AI chips from companies like Nvidia and advanced chipmaking equipment, citing national security concerns about China’s military capabilities. Despite these restrictions, Chinese companies including Huawei continue developing AI systems to compensate for limited access to American technology.

Global framework needed for AI governance, says Chinese Premier

Li stressed the urgent need for international coordination on AI governance, describing current global efforts as “fragmented” with significant differences in regulatory approaches between countries. The three-day Shanghai conference brings together industry leaders and policymakers from over 30 nations, including Russia, South Africa, Qatar, South Korea, and Germany.China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu revealed plans to potentially headquarter the proposed organization in Shanghai while promoting pragmatic AI cooperation. The initiative includes establishing cross-border open-source communities and facilitating international technology exchanges, positioning China as a leader in global AI governance amid growing concerns about the technology’s ethical implications and security risks.