At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in Gyeongju, South Korea, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a bold call for the creation of a global organization to govern artificial intelligence (AI) — a move widely seen as Beijing’s attempt to counterbalance U.S. dominance in setting international technology norms.
Xi proposed the formation of a “World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization”, which he said could establish governance frameworks, standardize global AI practices, and ensure that the technology remains a “public good for the international community.”
China’s Push for Algorithmic Sovereignty
This was Xi’s first major statement on the initiative unveiled earlier this year, emphasizing China’s goal to lead a multilateral approach to AI governance. “Artificial intelligence is of great significance for future development and should benefit people in all countries and regions,” Xi said, according to state media agency Xinhua.
Chinese officials have suggested that the proposed organization could be headquartered in Shanghai, reinforcing the city’s status as China’s technology capital and a hub for AI innovation.
The plan comes as Beijing accelerates efforts toward “algorithmic sovereignty,” investing in domestic AI models and chip development to reduce reliance on Western technologies. Chinese AI firms such as DeepSeek and iFlyTek have been central to these efforts, developing cost-effective generative AI solutions now being adopted across public and enterprise applications.
Geopolitics Meets Technology Policy
The proposal marks a key moment in the geopolitical contest between the world’s two largest economies. While Xi positioned the initiative as cooperative, analysts view it as an attempt to shape global AI norms under Chinese influence — in contrast to the U.S.-backed AI Safety Summit framework and the EU’s AI Act, which prioritize human rights and transparency.
U.S. President Donald Trump skipped the APEC leaders’ meeting, returning to Washington after bilateral talks with Xi that reportedly yielded a one-year agreement to partially ease trade and technology restrictions.
“China is signaling that it wants to write the rules of AI governance before others do,” said a Singapore-based technology analyst. “Beijing is playing the long game — using multilateral forums like APEC to project itself as a global standard-setter.”
China’s Broader Economic Vision
In his APEC address, Xi also urged member nations to promote the “free circulation of green technologies”, emphasizing cooperation in renewable energy, batteries, and solar manufacturing — industries where China maintains global dominance.
China will host the 2026 APEC Summit in Shenzhen, its innovation powerhouse and the birthplace of several of its leading technology firms, including Huawei and BYD. The city, once a fishing village, has transformed into a global centre for robotics, AI, and electric vehicles.
The Next Phase of Global Tech Governance
As AI emerges as both a strategic asset and a geopolitical lever, Xi’s proposal underscores China’s ambition to redefine the world’s technological order. Whether the world embraces a China-led AI governance model remains uncertain — but the message from Gyeongju was clear: Beijing wants a seat at the head of the global AI table.
