Your Excellency Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed,
Your Excellency Governor Zhao Gang,
Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends,
It gives me great pleasure to join you all in the ancient city of Xi’an. Xi’an is one of the important cradles of Chinese civilization and the Chinese nation, as well as the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road. It bears the glorious history of exchanges and integration between East and West, mutual learning among civilizations, and harmonious coexistence. More than a millennium ago, “envoys were seen continuously on the roads and merchants and travelers never ceased on their journeys” along the ancient Silk Road. It opened a thoroughfare for friendly exchanges among countries and wrote a chapter in humanity’s development and progress. More than a millennium later, tokens have replaced relay stations, linking every corner of human civilization and becoming our partners and assistants in exploring the unknown. Holding this Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence and Human Development in Xi’an will help us draw wisdom from history and explore how to promote the development of global AI in a positive, benevolent direction that benefits humanity. On behalf of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I extend a warm welcome to Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and all our friends. I also express heartfelt thanks to the People’s Government of Shaanxi Province for its strong support for this Dialogue.
The profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating around the world, bringing both hope and challenges. At this important historical juncture, a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is advancing rapidly. Global innovation in AI technology has entered an unprecedentedly active phase, with deep and complex implications for economic development, social progress, and national security. It has become a major question of our times. President Xi Jinping has championed the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and put forward the four Global Initiatives and the Global AI Governance Initiative. These provide direction for the international community in jointly addressing global challenges, and contribute Chinese wisdom and solutions to the questions raised by AI in our era.
Last month, China hosted in Shanghai the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance. President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote address. Reviewing the 70-year history of AI development, he profoundly noted that every scientific and technological revolution has reshaped human production and life and propelled major advances in economic and social development. From the height of advancing human civilization and enhancing the common well-being of all countries, President Xi comprehensively set out China’s policy position on AI and called on all countries to work together to build a fair and equitable global AI governance system.
President Xi’s important exposition is of great guiding significance for how we perceive, understand, and grasp the laws governing AI development. It has resonated strongly with the international community and stands as a classic address combining profound philosophical insight with contemporary relevance. From the four dimensions of development, security, civilization, and governance, President Xi has profoundly elucidated the relationship between AI and human development, which closely accords with the purpose of today’s Dialogue. China's propositions include the following:
First, uphold openness and win-win cooperation to drive innovative development.
President Xi pointed out that “AI is a new engine for global economic growth and an accelerator for the transition between old and new growth drivers. It is moving from the ‘digital world’ to the ‘physical world’.” AI is the crystallization of humanity’s collective wisdom; innovation and openness are embedded in its DNA and define its character. To seize the opportunities brought by the new wave of intelligence, we must encourage open source and openness, cooperation and sharing; safeguard the resilience and stability of global industrial and supply chains; effectively overcome resource constraints in all countries; raise innovation efficiency; and enable AI to empower all sectors.
China is accelerating the cultivation and development of new quality productive forces and implementing the “AI Plus” initiative in depth. Leveraging its strengths in abundant data resources, a complete industrial system, and broad application scenarios, China has focused on science and technology, industry, consumption, and people’s livelihoods. A number of new infrastructure facilities, technological systems, industrial ecosystems, and jobs have emerged. China is committed to entering a new stage of development of an intelligent economy and intelligent society in all respects by 2035, so that all people can share the benefits of AI development. We are ready to share with all countries the broad opportunities created by Chinese modernization, fully unleash AI’s unlimited potential, and achieve common development and shared prosperity.
Second, strengthen risk awareness to ensure safety and controllability.
President Xi pointed out that “we must attach great importance to all kinds of intrinsic and derivative risks brought about by AI and ensure that AI remains under human control at all times.” Development and security are like the two wings of a bird; they are mutually reinforcing and neither can be neglected. Without security as a guarantee, development is out of the question. Since the beginning of this year, AI safety has drawn widespread international attention and concern. Some AI models are reportedly capable of attacking critical infrastructure. All countries should face up to the security risks posed by AI, work together to strengthen the safety baseline, and effectively guard against misuse and malicious use.
China has always coordinated development and security. From issuing the Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services, to releasing the AI Safety Governance Framework, to accelerating research on legislation in the AI field, we have continuously improved relevant laws and regulations, policies and institutions, application standards, and ethical guidelines in light of AI development trends and laws, so as to ensure that AI is safe, reliable, and controllable.
Third, encourage inclusiveness and mutual learning among civilizations.
President Xi pointed out that “we must use the common values of humanity to shape AI values and make good use of AI technology to promote understanding and inclusiveness among different civilizations.” AI should not merely reflect the civilization of a particular region or the culture of a particular country; it must fully respect the sovereignty of all countries and the diversity of civilizations. AI should become a bridge of communication among different countries’ histories and cultures and social systems, reducing cultural conflicts arising from misunderstanding. Xi’an was once the capital of China’s ancient Tang Dynasty. The history written on this land is vivid evidence of openness, inclusiveness, and mutual learning among civilizations.
China is a pioneer in “AI Plus Culture.” The “Digital Library Cave of Dunhuang” vividly recreates the historical setting of the Library Cave and more than 60,000 precious cultural relics that had been stored there a century ago, using AI to turn static relics into interactive, immersive, and co-creatable cultural vehicles. AI is also being used in the excavation and restoration of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shi Huang. Three-dimensional scanning and intelligent matching technologies enable restoration with millimeter-level precision, breathing new life into traditional cultural heritage. China actively supports countries in developing AI models based on their own languages, overcoming practical challenges such as limited electronic corpora and differences in linguistic expression, and delivering strong performance in the understanding and generation of non-common languages and in local adaptability.
Fourth, advocate solidarity and mutual assistance to improve global governance.
President Xi pointed out that “we must practice true multilateralism and form, at an early date, a global governance framework built on broad consensus. We must help countries of the Global South strengthen capacity-building and avoid creating new historical injustices in the AI field.” AI is a touchstone for whether the global governance system is effective. We must embrace multilateralism and must not return to the law of the jungle, allowing individual countries and a small number of enterprises to monopolize AI resources.
As a responsible major country, China always honors its commitments and follows through with action. Since President Xi proposed the Global AI Governance Initiative, China has successively promoted the consensus adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the resolution on Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity-building of Artificial Intelligence; released the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All and the International Cooperation Initiative on “AI Plus”; established the World AI Cooperation Organization; and continuously provided international public goods.
Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends,
The United Nations is the most universal, representative, and authoritative international organization, and the role of the international system with the United Nations at its core is irreplaceable. China has consistently and actively supported the United Nations in playing its role as the main channel for global AI governance. We should effectively enhance the representation and voice of developing countries, establish universally accepted international rules and coordination mechanisms, and ensure equal participation, equal decision-making, and equal benefits for all countries. China highly appreciates Secretary-General António Guterres’s important initiatives and practical measures to advance implementation of the Global Digital Compact and promote AI for good and for all. The United Nations’ Global Dialogue on AI Governance and the establishment of the International Scientific Panel on AI provide important platforms for countries to build consensus and expand cooperation.
We look forward to all participants using this Dialogue, held at the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road, to share, from the depth of history, the height of philosophy, and the perspective of reality, their insightful views on global AI development and governance; to inspire one another and learn from one another; and to ensure that AI truly benefits the common well-being of all humanity.
In conclusion, I wish this Dialogue every success!
Orginial Link: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/0GUl2w2IJrjU-0wY0FxqYA?scene=25&sessionid=#wechat_redirect
