China Launches World AI Cooperation Organization as Xi Presses for Global Governance

China has established a new international body for artificial intelligence cooperation, headquartered in Shanghai, following an announcement by President Xi Jinping at the 2026 World AI Conference. The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, or WAICO, is positioned as an alternative venue for AI governance at a moment when American export controls are restricting China’s access to advanced technology.

What was announced in Shanghai?

Xi delivered the keynote address on 17 July at the opening ceremony of the World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, which ran until 20 July. His speech was titled “Joining Hands to Build a Just and Equitable System for Global AI Governance”.

The conference drew UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, among other heads of state and international organisations. A Chair’s Statement was issued at its conclusion.

Xi called for a people-centred approach and argued that AI should drive shared prosperity and common security rather than serve any single country. China has hosted the conference annually since 2018.

What will WAICO actually do?

The organisation builds on the Global AI Governance Initiative that China released in October 2023, which set out principles of people-centred development, AI for good, and mutual respect and benefit. That initiative opposed technological monopolies and unilateral barriers and emphasised greater representation for developing countries.

China outlined several concrete commitments alongside the launch. It will create international AI application cooperation centres with ASEAN, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS.

Beijing also said it would enable 30 countries to use MAZU, its AI-powered meteorological warning system, for disaster preparedness.

China has previously promoted a UN General Assembly resolution on international cooperation for AI capacity-building, adopted by consensus, and published an AI capacity-building action plan.

How does this relate to US export controls?

The launch comes as American-led restrictions block China from obtaining some of the world’s most advanced technologies. Those curbs have accelerated Chinese efforts to build domestic capability and intensified the technology contest between the two largest economies.

Xi objected to what he described as the overstretching of national security concerns in restricting technology sharing, without naming the United States directly.

The dispute has produced retaliation in both directions. China has restricted exports to American defence firms in response to US sanctions on Chinese technology companies.

There are also signs of partial thaw elsewhere in the relationship. China signalled this month that it may restore US trade privileges for Hong Kong, two months after Xi met President Donald Trump in Beijing and ahead of an expected visit by Xi to the United States.

How large is China’s AI sector?

China’s core AI industries were valued at more than 1.2 trillion yuan, roughly 176.6 billion US dollars, in 2025.

Analysts note that the Chinese framework differs from Western approaches that tend to prioritise rule-setting, offering what Beijing presents as an alternative pathway aimed particularly at Global South countries.

Whether WAICO becomes a substantive governance forum or largely a diplomatic platform will depend on which countries join and what commitments they accept. Membership terms and the organisation’s relationship with existing UN processes have not yet been detailed publicly.

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