Xi inspects AI industry in Shanghai, calling for its development

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday visited an AI incubator in Shanghai, calling on the city to take the lead in AI development and governance.

During the inspection tour in Shanghai, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for accelerated efforts to build the city into a world-class hub for scientific and technological innovation with global influence.

Xi learned about the development of the AI industry in Shanghai, the research and development of related technologies, and the operations of enterprises, as he visited the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, a large-model incubator home to over 100 enterprises in Shanghai's Xuhui District. AI technology is evolving rapidly and entering a phase of explosive growth, Xi noted, stressing the need for Shanghai to learn from successful practices, intensify exploration, and strive to take the lead in all aspects of AI development and governance.

In the incubator, Xi also joined a salon themed on the autonomous evolution of next-generation intelligent agents, engaging in discussions with young innovators on the spot.

"High technologies like AI is a nascent undertaking that belongs to young people. This undertaking is part of our endeavors to advance Chinese modernization, build China into a strong country, and realize the great cause of national rejuvenation, and the hope lies in all of you," said Xi.

He then walked into an AI product experience store, where he inquired in detail about the functions and market trends of the products, and tried on a pair of smart glasses for a firsthand experience.

Xi noted that China is rich in data resources, boasts a complete industrial system and a huge market, and enjoys broad prospects for the development of AI, calling for stepping up policy support and the nurturing of talents to develop more safe and reliable high-quality AI products.

The inspection trip came four days after China's leadership convened a dedicated AI study session, where Xi called for gaining a head start in this strategic sector.

During the group study session last Friday, Xi pointed out that AI, as a strategic technology leading the new round of sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation, has profoundly changed the ways people work and live.

The Party Central Committee attaches great importance to the development of AI, and has improved top-level design and strengthened implementation efforts in recent years, Xi said at the session.

Xi inspects AI industry in Shanghai, calling for its development

Xi inspects AI industry in Shanghai, calling for its development

Xi inspects AI industry in Shanghai, calling for its development

Xi inspects AI industry in Shanghai, calling for its development

African officials on Wednesday pledged to scale up investment to accelerate development across the member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at a meeting in Accra, Ghana's capital.

They made the commitment during the 24th Annual General Meeting of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), where leaders highlighted the need to expand the bank's capital base to finance transformative projects.

Ghanaian Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson stressed that timely capital payments would strengthen EBID's leverage and sustain its growth, enabling the institution to stimulate inclusive economic expansion across the region.

"Timely capital payments are critical. It strengthens EBID leverage and sustains its growth and impact across our region. Expanding our capital base is essential to strengthen our ability to finance transformative development projects and stimulate inclusive economic growth among our member states," said Forson.

EBID recorded strong achievements in 2025, with total disbursements of about 722 million U.S. dollars, up 47.7 percent from 2024. Building on that momentum, President George Agyekum Donkor said the bank remains committed to helping member states tackle poverty and close infrastructure gaps across the region.

"We aim to direct at least 63 percent of new commitments towards the private enterprises to catalyze job creation and innovation. Simultaneously, the bank would embed environmental, social and governance principles across its operations, dedicating over 41 percent of resources to climate mitigation and social inclusion projects," said Donkor.

With disbursements surging nearly 48 percent last year, EBID officials said the bank is positioned to channel more resources into private-sector growth and climate-focused projects, reinforcing its role as a driver of inclusive development across West Africa.

African officials vow stronger investment push at ECOWAS bank meeting in Accra