International observers have lauded China's proposals on artificial intelligence (AI) governance, describing them as timely and much-needed efforts that could help bridge the global digital divide and steer AI development toward the common good.
The 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance is taking place in Shanghai from Friday to Monday, bringing together global experts, government officials and business representatives to discuss new opportunities in AI development.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the event, Chinese President Xi Jinping shared his thoughts and observations on how to address challenges arising from AI development and how to promote AI globally for the positive, for good and for humanity. Stressing a people-centered approach, he announced specific measures to further support AI development and advance AI capacity building in developing countries.
Sengdeuane Sayasone, vice chairperson of Laos-China Cooperation Committee, said the speech demonstrated the leader's strategic vision and China's strong sense of responsibility as a major country.
"President Xi's important address once again demonstrated his strategic vision and the sense of duty befitting a major country. He spoke of helping Global South countries strengthen their capacity-building, and China has been putting into practice the philosophy of promoting inclusive and universally beneficial AI development. I believe that by joining hands, we can surely steer global AI in a direction that is positive and beneficial to humanity," she said.
John Tshinseki, president of the Zambia Cyber Security Initiative Foundation, said the speech directly answered longstanding calls for global cooperation on AI to solve the pressing problems.
"I think for some time, we have spoken about bringing every country, global community, into one space, to talk about building AI for good. And I think this is a timely intervention and the speech itself spoke directly into what we have been crying about in terms of the global community, bringing AI together and building AI that speaks to, sorting out global problems that we have faced in the past," said Tshinseki.
Meanwhile, the Chinese proposal to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) has also drawn strong support from international observers, who say the move could help forge a broadly accepted global governance framework for AI.
"Establishing a cooperation organization on AI is vital. The importance of cooperation via a common organization on AI is both development of standards which ensure peaceful and beneficial use of AI, and at the same time [working] as a tool for collaboration between experts on the cutting-edge development in the field of AI," said Ondřej Dostál, a member of the European Parliament.
Tariq Saeed, an AI and digital solutions expert from the United Arab Emirates, said China has delivered concrete action and played an influential role in shaping global AI governance.
"In terms of global AI governance, China has not only put forward a political vision -- and I know it will play multiple roles in the coming period -- but has also introduced specific digital programs and initiatives. This is particularly evident in its efforts to build a global consensus on AI governance, demonstrating the strong and positive role China is playing on the world stage," said the expert.
Global experts hail China's AI initiatives as timely action in bridging digital divide
