Major AI Summit Opens in Shanghai
President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and AI Global Governance High-Level Meeting on July 17 in Shanghai. The event brought together global leaders, tech executives, and researchers to discuss artificial intelligence development and governance.
Diplomatic Engagement
On the sidelines, President Xi held meetings with multiple foreign dignitaries, including:
- Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
- Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul
- Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres
AI Development Focus
The conference highlighted China's commitment to AI innovation while advocating for international cooperation on governance frameworks. China aims to become an AI global leader while ensuring responsible development aligned with international norms.
Strategic Significance
With over 300 global AI debuts expected, the summit underscores Shanghai's role as a technology hub and China's positioning at the forefront of the global AI race, particularly as domestic AI companies like DeepSeek continue to gain international recognition.