At the opening of the World AI Conference in Shanghai on Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed that the technology should not be monopolized by one country, calling for international cooperation in the field where competition between Washington and Beijing is fierce.

Day by day, competition intensifies between Chinese startups such as Moonshot AI, Minimax, and Z.AI and American groups, with a particular focus on more affordable prices for this technology that attract users worldwide.

Regulatory controls have become essential to curb the growth of this technology, which fuels disinformation, cyberattacks, and algorithmic bias, and is used by the military, exploited by hackers or terrorist groups.

The first time

Xi Jinping said during the opening of the conference, which runs until next Monday, that 'the growth of artificial intelligence should not be monopolized by a single country, but should be harmonious in the field of international cooperation.'

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According to AFP, this is the first time the Chinese president has given a speech at such events, reflecting the strategic importance Beijing attaches to this sector.

Xi stated: 'We must jointly confront... any country prioritizing its security at the expense of others,' in a veiled reference to restrictions imposed by the United States and the European Union on Chinese technology imports.

Bohao, founder of the platform 'Hello China Tech,' noted that 'the United States is still more advanced in advanced chips, precision computing infrastructure, and developing models that require greater financial resources.'

But he stressed that 'China is its fiercest competitor... and its advantages lie in open-source models, cost optimization, speed of use, robotics, and integrating AI into manufacturing processes.'

He considered this conference, known by its acronym 'WAIC,' 'the most important annual event to learn about the latest trends in the field of artificial intelligence in China.' The conference hosts more than 1,100 companies and showcases about 3,000 products and technologies.

'People-centered'

Xi Jinping stressed the need to 'adopt laws, regulations, monitoring systems, early warning, and emergency intervention... to ensure that AI always remains under human control,' calling for a 'people-centered' approach to this technology.

In this context, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and representatives of 29 countries, including Russia, signed an agreement to establish an intergovernmental international cooperation group in the field of artificial intelligence.

The goal of the International AI Cooperation Organization (WAICO), based in Shanghai, China, is to enhance consultation and cooperation among members to ensure 'healthy and orderly' growth of AI, according to Chinese media.

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A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that 'China opposes any form of cliquish exclusion and technological blockade.'

He noted that Beijing seeks to use the conference to 'hold candid talks' and 'reach consensus,' so that 'technological progress becomes an engine for humanity's growth and prosperity.'

Massive investments

Since 2018, the World AI Conference has been held, bringing together researchers, companies, and decision-makers to showcase the latest innovations and discuss ethical and geopolitical stakes.

Among the standout products at the 2026 edition are the 'M3' model from Minimax, the first phone with an independent AI feature, and an updated version of Huawei's 'Atlas 950' for learning and analysis, as well as many humanoid robots.

On Friday morning, the startup Moonshot AI unveiled its new, highly advanced AI model 'Kimi Kai 3.'

AI has become a pillar of China's industrial policy, driven by massive investments and strong political support, aiming to establish an independent ecosystem from advanced chips to public-facing applications.

Last year, the value of China's AI market exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan ($177 billion), with expected growth of more than 30% in 2026, according to official figures.

In 2025, China had more than 6,000 companies active in the AI field.