China bridges leading AI economies, Global South: UN envoy

The United Nations' special envoy for digital and emerging technologies has described China as a "bridge actor" between leading AI economies and the Global South, a position that carries growing weight as the technology reshapes industries and societies worldwide.

Amandeep Singh Gill, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, made the remarks in a recent interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN). He noted that China’s position as both innovator and connector gives it added weight in shaping how artificial intelligence is developed, applied and governed worldwide.

Global leaders will gather in Shanghai from July 17 to 20 for the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2026), themed ‘Intelligent Partners, Co‑creating the Future.

"China is a leading AI economy. In fact, it's a bridge actor between the leading AI countries and the Global South. So it has a very important position in the global system when it comes to AI's development, R and D applications, but also its governance," Gill said.

"So it's very interesting, July 15, just today from now, the interim measures for the administration of these kind of anthropomorphic interactive AI services coming from AI is going to take effect. So China is also taking steps, very concrete steps on the governance of these technologies, so that the most vulnerable children, for example, are not harmed by emotional dependence on these tools or some other forms of maladaptive behavior," Gill explained.

Gill emphasized that China's role in AI development, governance, and international cooperation is more important than ever.

"As we gather at the world AI conference in Shanghai, China's role in terms of the development of the technology, in terms of its governance, in terms of international cooperation, also becomes important. At the United Nations, China has led on a resolution that focuses on capacity building, 140 plus countries sponsored that resolution. And I think by highlighting this AI divide, this capacity gap, China has played a leading role in terms of taking forward international discussions on how to bridge the AI divide," he said.

China bridges leading AI economies, Global South: UN envoy

Twenty-nine countries on Thursday signed an agreement in Shanghai on establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO).

The WAICO will be an independent intergovernmental international organization headquartered in Shanghai, according to the agreement.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, signed the agreement on behalf of the Chinese government.

Representatives from the 29 countries, including Kazakhstan, Laos, Pakistan, Russia and Indonesia, signed the agreement, making their countries the WAICO's founding members. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was among representatives from countries and international organizations present at the signing ceremony.

The organization will uphold the purposes of the UN Charter, be committed to extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit and adhere to a people-centered approach, according to the agreement.

It aims to promote international cooperation and global governance on AI, ensuring that AI is beneficial, safe and fair, thereby promoting its healthy and orderly development to benefit all humanity.

29 countries sign agreement on establishing World AI Cooperation Organization