China’s recent launch of the World AI Cooperation Organization (WAICO) during the World AI Conference in Shanghai is being characterized not as a gesture of international goodwill but as a calculated “governance offensive” aimed at dominating the global regulatory landscape. In a critical analysis published in The Diplomat, Dr. Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, Resident Senior Fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), argues that Beijing is strategically positioning itself to write the rules for global AI governance.
During the conference, President Xi Jinping advocated a “people-centered approach” to AI, framing the technology as an important driver of shared prosperity and common security. However, analysts suggest this rhetoric masks a deeper strategic intent. Henry Gao, a professor of law at Singapore Management University, noted that China urgently needs access to global models, talent, chips, and open-source ecosystems to sustain its AI development, making international cooperation a pragmatic necessity rather than a purely altruistic endeavor.
The launch of WAICO represents a significant escalation in China’s efforts to shape the international norms and standards governing artificial intelligence. By establishing a new multilateral organization, Beijing is attempting to create an alternative to Western-led initiatives, such as the G7’s Hiroshima AI Process and the Council of Europe’s AI Convention. This move reflects China’s broader ambition to challenge the existing international order and establish itself as a leading voice in global governance. Twenty-nine countries signed the agreement to establish WAICO in Shanghai on July 16.
Countering U.S. Restrictions
A central component of China’s governance push is its opposition to what President Xi termed “overstretching the national security concept in the field of AI.” This language is widely interpreted as a direct critique of U.S. export controls and restrictions on China’s access to advanced AI technologies. By championing an inclusive, multilateral approach through WAICO, which boasts 29 founding member countries including Russia, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Malaysia, Beijing is attempting to build a coalition that opposes Western technological containment strategies.
Furthermore, China has integrated AI diplomacy into its broader geopolitical strategy. The country’s five-year plan includes providing 5,000 AI training opportunities for developing nations and establishing AI cooperation centers with organizations such as ASEAN, the Arab League, the African Union, and BRICS. This outreach is designed to solidify China’s influence over the technological infrastructure of the Global South.
By offering training, technology, and infrastructure support to developing nations, China seeks to create a network of countries reliant on its AI ecosystem. This strategy not only expands the market for Chinese technology companies but also builds political support for Beijing’s vision of global AI governance. As more countries adopt Chinese AI standards and regulations, it will become increasingly difficult for Western nations to impose their own rules on the global stage.
Warnings for Democratic Nations
Dr. Rajagopalan’s analysis issues a stark warning to democratic nations regarding China’s ambitions. She argues that allowing an authoritarian power with a penchant for centralization to determine the rules for AI governance is inherently dangerous. The piece draws parallels to previous, ultimately unsuccessful efforts by China and Russia to establish international treaties on outer space, suggesting that Beijing’s AI governance initiatives may follow a similar trajectory of prioritizing state control over individual liberties.
The analysis concludes with a call for democracies to collectively strengthen their AI governance frameworks. By promoting the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence, Western nations and their allies must establish robust global standards before China can successfully institutionalize its own rulebook through organizations like WAICO.
The challenge for democratic nations is to develop a compelling alternative to China’s vision of AI governance. This will require not only establishing clear ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks but also providing tangible support and resources to developing nations seeking to harness the benefits of artificial intelligence. Failure to do so could result in a fragmented global AI ecosystem, with competing standards and regulations that hinder innovation and exacerbate geopolitical tensions.
The Future of Global AI Governance
The launch of WAICO marks a new phase in the global competition for AI dominance. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into every aspect of society, the rules and norms governing its development and use will have profound implications for economic prosperity, national security, and human rights.
The struggle to shape these rules will likely be one of the defining geopolitical challenges of the 21st century. Whether the international community can establish a cohesive and effective framework for AI governance remains to be seen. However, it is clear that China is determined to play a leading role in this process, and its efforts will require a coordinated, strategic response from democratic nations worldwide.