Establishment of World AI Cooperation Organization important milestone in AI development history: Xi

The establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) will be an important milestone in the history of AI development, said Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.

Delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, Xi Jinping announced the establishment of the organization.

"We often say in China, 'A single string cannot make music, and a single tree does not make a forest.' AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation. Thanks to our joint efforts, WAICO has come into being in Shanghai. This is a major move by China to answer the call of the Global South and unite the international community together to promote vigorously AI development and governance. It will be an important milestone in the history of AI development," Xi said.

Themed "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future," the four-day 2026 World AI Conference includes more than 140 forums, bringing together 1,400 guests from home and abroad.

Establishment of World AI Cooperation Organization important milestone in AI development history: Xi

Establishment of World AI Cooperation Organization important milestone in AI development history: Xi

Establishment of World AI Cooperation Organization important milestone in AI development history: Xi

Establishment of World AI Cooperation Organization important milestone in AI development history: Xi

Establishment of World AI Cooperation Organization important milestone in AI development history: Xi

The South China Sea region showed stable marine ecological conditions in 2025, with improving coral coverage, healthy mangrove ecosystems and the return of rare species, according to two reports released by the South China Sea Bureau of the Ministry of Natural Resources on Friday.

The 2025 South China Sea Marine Ecological Early Warning and Monitoring Report and the 2025 South China Sea Marine Ecological Protection and Restoration Report were published at an event in Haikou City of south China's Hainan Province to mark the National Ecology Day, which fell on Saturday this year.

The reports indicated that the overall marine ecological status remained stable in the South China Sea region last year. Mangrove ecosystems were in good condition, with canopy coverage exceeding 75 percent.

For the first time, a comprehensive assessment of island reef ecological conditions was provided across the Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha islands, covering nine reefs in detail. This has provided a fundamental basis for strengthening the classification, protection and management of islands and reefs.

The ecological conditions of the Xisha Islands are showing positive signs of recovery, while Huangyan Dao (Island) in the Zhongsha Islands features a unique and diverse ecosystem, the reports said.

In 2025, a total of 66 marine ecological restoration projects were carried out in the South China Sea region with a cumulative investment nearing five billion yuan (about 74.18 million U.S. dollars), according to the reports.

By the end of 2025, the region had designated marine ecological protection redline areas covering about 2.66 million hectares and marine protected areas spanning around seven million hectares.

South China Sea marine ecology stable in 2025: reports