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From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Chinese Government, has said that the just concluded 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance (WAIC 2026), held from July 17 to 20 in Shanghai, China, was a great success.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Lin Jian, stated this while responding to questions during the Ministry’s regular press conference in Beijing.
Lin who was responding to a question on the notion in different quarters that China, with its open innovation philosophy and open-source AI ecosystem, is breaking Western technological monopoly and enabling more countries to boost capacity building, said as a responsible major country, China is always committed to providing international public goods relating to AI.
He added that China is ready to work with various parties to take a people-centered approach, develop AI for the positive and for good, and join hands to build a just and equitable system for global AI governance so as to ensure that AI truly promotes shared prosperity and benefits whole humanity.
Lin said: “The 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance (WAIC 2026), held from July 17 to 20 in Shanghai, was a great success. President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Official representatives, business leaders, scholars and researchers from more than 100 countries and international organizations gathered in Shanghai for discussions on how to promote global AI development for good and for all, delivering a host of important outcomes.”
First of the important outcomes, according to Lin, was that the conference sets a clear direction for AI global governance.
“As AI technologies evolve at a faster pace, bringing with it immense opportunities as well as risks, global AI governance has come to a critical juncture. President Xi elaborated on China’s vision of building a just and equitable system for global AI governance from the four perspectives of development, security, civilizations and governance, throwing light on the future of AI development and governance. His propositions have been well received in the international community and bear historical significance as well as practical relevance,” he also said.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson further said the conference helped bridge the global AI divide.
“Global AI development remains uneven with a yawning gap between the North and the South. President Xi announced three major practical measures to support AI development and advance capacity building around the world, especially in the Global South. This will surely give a strong boost to inclusive AI development for all,” Lin stated.
The third important outcome of the conference, Li explained, was that the conference marked a major progress in establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO).
“The Signing Ceremony of the Agreement on the Establishment of WAICO was held during the conference. Twenty nine countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe signed the agreement at the event as founding members. The major progress in establishing the organization, an initiative championed by China, has significantly enhanced the representation and voice of the Global South in global AI governance and makes this conference a milestone in the history of AI development,” he added.
Another point listed as one of the outcomes by the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, was that the conference pooled together, broad consensus on global AI governance.
“Representatives from around 80 countries and international organizations have participated in the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance and had an in-depth exchange of views on AI development and governance. As the host, China, on the basis of extensive consultations and after summing up important views from participating parties across various sectors, released a Chair’s Statement of WAIC 2026, pooling together broad international consensus,” Lin further said.
While also saying that the conference promoted international cooperation on AI development, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson added that during the conference, more than 150 thematic forums and dozens of bilateral and multilateral exchanges and business talks were held.
“An AI exhibition covering more than 100,000 square meters was staged, bringing together over 1,100 Chinese and international exhibitors and showcasing over 3,000 cutting-edge exhibits. All these activities have served as a platform for supply-demand collaboration, facilitated the global flow of innovation resources, and injected new impetus into AI development,” Lin concluded.
