Xi Opens China's AI Showcase
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered the opening keynote at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2026) in Shanghai on July 17, the State Council Information Office confirmed. This marks the ninth consecutive year the event has been held in Shanghai and its most expansive edition yet, with exhibition space exceeding 100,000 square metres and 1,100+ companies participating.
Scale and Scope
| Metric | 2026 Edition |
|---|---|
| Exhibition area | 100,000+ square metres (first time) |
| Exhibiting companies | 1,100+ |
| Global product debuts | 300+ |
| International guests | 1,400+ (140 countries) |
| Conference theme | "Intelligent Partner, Co-Creating the Future" |
The event runs July 17–20 and is jointly hosted by multiple national ministries and the Shanghai Municipal Government, with participation from 12 countries, 8 national key laboratories and 10+ international organisations.
Key Highlights
- Huawei Ascend 950: Huawei's Ascend 950 'super node' made its first physical appearance, representing China's most advanced domestic AI chip cluster
- 曦智科技 (Lightelligence): Released the first integrated edge computing box based on optoelectronic hybrid computing chips — a potential breakthrough in AI inference efficiency
- Embodied AI: Over 200 humanoid robot and embodied AI companies exhibited, reflecting Beijing's push to industrialise the sector by 2030
- Governance: A dedicated AI governance forum addressed international standards, safety frameworks and cross-border data rules
Strategic Context
WAIC 2026 arrives amid intensifying global competition in AI — particularly between China and the US — and rising concerns about AI safety and geopolitical risk. Xi's personal attendance signals the technology's priority status in national policy and the government's intent to position China as a global AI leader alongside the United States.
Economic Impact
The conference generates substantial commercial contracts and investment commitments each year. The 2026 edition is expected to produce announcements of new AI industrial parks, university-industry research funds and cross-border AI partnerships, building on the goal set out in the 15th Five-Year Plan to make AI a core pillar of economic growth.