UNDP official highlights China's role in bridging global AI development

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) administrator Alexander De Croo on Friday highlighted China's pivotal role in the global AI landscape as a bridge connecting developing countries to the benefits of this fast-emerging technology.

De Croo, also former prime minister of Belgium, is in Shanghai to attend the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, which opened on Friday.

Speaking to a reporter at the event, he underscored that China's willingness to leverage the strengths of its AI ecosystem for more equitable global development clearly aligns with the UNDP mission.

"China tries to be the bridge towards developing countries. And this is something we appreciate," he said.

The UNDP recognized early on that the openness of China's AI resources could pave the way for partnership on projects that benefit societies and communities around the world.

"We have [been working on projects with Chinese partners]. For example, on using meteorological data to empower farmers and having more information and making the right choices. This is a very tangible way of how AI is empowering people," he said.

De Croo further emphasized that, against the backdrop of intense global AI competition, international cooperation remains indispensable to finding a middle ground between technological progress and risk governance.

"We're trying the right balance of openness to innovation but also safety. And this is something where you need to work together," he added.

Looking ahead to the future trajectory of this technology, the UNDP administrator offered a candid assessment of the unprecedented pace of AI innovation.

"I don't know [what the AI landscape will look like in five years]. And that is what makes it so attractive, is that the speed of innovation is a great one. What is important is that we always make sure that humans, human benefits and human access is at the core, and that is I think why conferences like this one are important," he said.

UNDP official highlights China's role in bridging global AI development

China's State Taxation Administration has introduced new measures to make departure tax refund services more digital and convenient for overseas visitors, according to a recent notice.

These measures will enable the electronic transfer of tax refund applications and sales invoices, supporting paperless processing throughout the entire refund procedure.

Beginning Sept. 1, 2026, participating tax refund stores will be able to upload overseas visitors' valid identification documents when issuing refund-upon-purchase applications, enabling refund agencies at the place of purchase to review departure tax refund documents online. Refund agencies at the point of departure will verify visitors' identity information and process the refunds in accordance with existing regulations. The administration will also promote pilot departure tax refund services at online stores and expand an existing information-entry QR code into a nationwide service code, allowing visitors to submit information and check refund details online.

The notice calls for a severe crackdown on illegal activities such as fraudulent proxy purchasing and the smuggling of tax-refunded goods back into the domestic market. Any tax refund store found to have participated in or organized such activities will be disqualified from offering departure tax refund services.

China further streamlines departure tax refund services