Global recognition grows for China’s AI innovation and inclusive governance at 2026 WAIC

The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and Global AI Governance High-Level Meeting took place in Shanghai from July 17 to 20, rolling out a series of milestone outcomes for global AI development and cross-border collaboration. The event released the Chair’s Statement of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and Global AI Governance High-Level Meeting, alongside three key documents including the Action Plan for AI Cooperative Development, the Global Action Plan for AI Ethical Governance, and the Global Initiative for Trusted, Connected and Interoperable Intelligent Agents.

The ongoing technological revolution and industrial transformation have accelerated AI iteration, reshaping global industrial patterns and production lifestyles across industries. China has fostered steady progress in AI industrial development and practical application amid evolving global dynamics. Official industrial data shows that the scale of China’s core AI industries exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan in 2025, with the number of domestic AI enterprises surpassing 6,200. Industry projections indicate China’s overall AI-related industrial scale will break 10 trillion yuan by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, unlocking broader industrial growth potential.

Multiple international media outlets have acknowledged China’s balanced advancement in AI technological innovation, inclusive popularisation and global governance improvement. Overseas observations highlight China’s efforts to bridge global digital divides and drive sound, human-centric AI development worldwide.

According to Nigeria’s The Sun, China’s AI development features deep integration of scientific exploration and industrial application. AI technologies have been widely deployed in manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, education, agriculture, logistics and urban management, functioning as a core engine to boost productivity and optimise public services across multiple sectors. Mexico’s El Diario notes that China is scaling up industrialised AI application to empower the real economy while actively participating in global AI governance to steer the technology toward human-centric progress.

Saudi Arabia’s Arab News points out that China’s open-source AI models have gained growing popularity among global enterprises, with open transparency and shared resources building solid foundations for industrial trust. Austria’s Heute adds that China’s systematic integration of AI technology into public infrastructure has lowered marginal deployment costs for various industries and paved the way for large-scale technology adoption.

The Action Plan for AI Cooperative Development released at the conference puts forward eight key initiatives covering inclusive computing power popularisation, open-source ecosystem sharing, joint talent cultivation and unified rule-setting. China continues to offer practical solutions to narrow global digital and developmental gaps and promote open and shared AI development worldwide.

China’s cross-border AI cooperation has delivered tangible outcomes for Global South countries. Indonesia’sJakarta Globe reports that Chinese AI technologies have improved mining safety and sustainable development in Indonesia, with upcoming training programmes for local students, engineers and industrial practitioners and deeper university-level cooperation on AI research and application.

Kenya’s The Standard highlights the rising influence of Chinese open-source AI models across Africa. Local research institutions leverage these open resources to build customised technological solutions tailored to Africa’s developmental demands. Cuba’s Prensa Latina states that the World Artificial Intelligence Conference has evolved into a pivotal international platform for AI innovation discussion and global governance dialogue since its launch in 2018, facilitating extensive global cooperation led by China to share AI development dividends worldwide.

Pakistan Independent News Service observes that China’s AI practices in education, healthcare, public services and industrial production provide valuable references for emerging economies to address domestic developmental bottlenecks, especially in talent cultivation. Kenya’s Stream Media notes that China’s AI Plus strategy offers replicable experience for Global South nations to advance digital transformation and inclusive AI growth.

Global public opinion increasingly recognises China’s rational approach to AI development and governance. Cuba’s Granma stresses the urgency for unified global consensus on AI governance, affirming China’s advocacy of rule-based innovation and application to advance human civilisation through technological progress. Brazil’s 247 TV describes the World Artificial Intelligence Conference as one of the world’s largest AI events and a core platform for global rule-making dialogue, recognising China’s efforts to build win-win cooperative frameworks and standardise AI development based on transparency, fairness, security and credibility principles.

According to a Pew Research Centre survey released on July 15, views regarding China as a reliable global partner have gained traction across multiple regions, with China positioning AI as a global public good. Pakistan’s Express Tribune states that the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference bridges global gaps in AI innovation, industrial cooperation and rule formulation, supporting steady implementation of global AI governance initiatives.

Côte d’Ivoire News Agency holds that technological progress should be measured by improved public welfare rather than accelerated iteration speed. China’s initiative to establish a global AI cooperation organisation adheres to multilateralism and people-oriented principles, enabling digital technology to empower inclusive global development. Moving forward, China will strengthen strategic alignment, rule coordination and standardised cooperation with all parties to build a fair and rational global AI governance system.