Chinese President Xi Jinping took center stage at Saturday’s APEC leaders’ meeting, proposing the creation of a global organization to manage artificial intelligence.
Beijing is seeking to establish itself as an alternative hub for trade and technology cooperation, despite its differences with the United States. According to Xi, a global organization for cooperation on artificial intelligence could establish governance rules and promote international cooperation, turning artificial intelligence into a “public good” for the entire world.
The official Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying that artificial intelligence is crucial to future development and should benefit people in all countries and regions. Chinese officials have previously suggested that the organization’s headquarters could be established in Shanghai.
The United States opposes attempts to delegate the regulation of artificial intelligence to international organizations. Against this backdrop, Beijing unveiled the initiative earlier this year, and this speech marked Xi’s first detailed public commentary on its goals. Analysts expected Xi to promote China’s vision of multilateral economic and trade cooperation on the sidelines of APEC.
US President Donald Trump skipped the APEC leaders’ summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, and flew to Washington immediately after his bilateral meeting with Xi. The talks between the two leaders culminated in a year-long agreement to partially ease trade and technology restrictions, which should ease tensions between the world’s major economies.
Technological competition remains at the forefront. Advanced chips from California-based Nvidia have become the foundation of the current AI boom, but Chinese developer DeepSeek is promoting more affordable models, which Beijing authorities are using as part of their push for so-called “algorithmic sovereignty.” Xi has also called on APEC to promote the “free flow” of green technologies. This refers to the supply chain, from batteries to solar panels, where Chinese manufacturers have a particularly strong position.
APEC members approved a joint declaration and agreements on artificial intelligence and the challenges of an aging population. China will host the APEC summit in 2026 in Shenzhen. Xi recalled that the city, with a population of nearly 18 million, was a fishing village just a few decades ago and developed thanks to its status as one of the first special economic zones. APEC remains a consultative forum for 21 economies, representing approximately half of global trade.
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