China’s Xi Jinping calls for creation of a global AI body at APEC, positioning Beijing as alternative to the U.S.

Chinese President Xi Jinping took center stage at Saturday’s APEC leaders’ meeting, urging the formation of a global body to regulate artificial intelligence and presenting China as a cooperative alternative to the United States in global trade.

It was the first time Xi publicly discussed Beijing’s proposal, introduced earlier this year, to establish an international AI governance organization—an initiative that contrasts sharply with Washington’s rejection of efforts to regulate AI through multilateral institutions.

Xi said a “World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization” could help set governance rules and promote collaboration, ensuring AI becomes “a public good for the international community.”

“Artificial intelligence is vital to future development and should be built for the benefit of people across all countries and regions,” Xi was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency.

Chinese officials have indicated that the proposed organization could be headquartered in Shanghai, the country’s commercial hub.

U.S. President Donald Trump did not attend the APEC leaders’ summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, and returned directly to Washington after meeting with Xi.

The two leaders reached a one-year deal to partially roll back trade and technology controls, easing tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

With Trump absent, analysts had expected Xi to use the APEC platform to position China as a champion of multilateral cooperation in trade and economic development.

While California-based Nvidia’s (NVDA.O) advanced chips remain central to the AI boom, Chinese developer DeepSeek has launched lower-cost models, which Beijing has hailed as key to achieving “algorithmic sovereignty.”

Xi also called on APEC members to promote the “free circulation” of green technologies—from batteries to solar panels—industries where China holds a dominant position.

APEC members adopted a joint declaration and agreements addressing AI and the challenges of aging populations.

China will host the 2026 APEC summit in Shenzhen, a major manufacturing hub for robotics and electric vehicles.

Xi noted that the city of about 18 million people was once a small fishing village before becoming one of China’s first special economic zones in the 1980s.

APEC is a 21-member consultative forum representing roughly half of global trade.