Global cooperation in AI highlighted

President Xi Jinping has highlighted China's commitment to engaging in extensive international cooperation on artificial intelligence with countries around the world, saying that AI should be an international public good that benefits humanity.

Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory message sent to the World Smart Industry Expo 2025, which opened in Chongqing on Friday.

He said in the message that AI technology is rapidly evolving, profoundly transforming human production and lifestyles, and reshaping the global industrial landscape.

China attaches great importance to AI development and governance and actively promotes the deep integration of AI technological innovation with industrial innovation to empower high-quality economic and social development, thereby helping to improve people's lives, he added.

Xi expressed China's willingness to strengthen international cooperation and coordination with other countries in development strategies, governance rules and technical standards to promote the healthy and vigorous development of the AI industry, and bring greater benefits to people in all countries.

The four-day expo, with the themes of "AI+" and "Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicles", is co-hosted by the governments of Chongqing and Tianjin.

With Singapore acting as the guest country of honor and Sichuan province as the guest province of honor, it features participation from over 600 leading domestic and international companies, showcasing more than 3,000 innovative products and technologies.

At the opening ceremony, investment agreements worth more than 200 billion yuan ($28 billion) were signed, covering sectors such as intelligent connected new energy vehicles, electronic information, advanced materials, smart equipment and intelligent manufacturing, and the low-altitude economy, according to Zheng Xiangdong, vice-mayor of Chongqing.

Antonio Yung, chief representative of the China Office of Sacramento, the capital of the US state of California, said that Xi's message highlighted the significance of the expo, as the whole world is paying attention to AI development and in particular, China is one of the major developers in the sector.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, issued a guideline on Aug 26 to implement the "AI Plus" initiative, promoting the extensive and in-depth integration of AI in various fields.

Cai Guangzhong, vice-president of Tencent, one of China's top tech firms, said at the expo that Tencent has consistently responded actively to the national strategy, and has taken a long-term approach by increasing investment in technology to solidify the foundation of "AI Plus".

"Tencent will continue to invest in AI research and development, leveraging its rich application ecosystem to comprehensively promote the presence of 'useful AI' closer to users and industries," Cai said.

"This will enable everyone to become a 'super individual' empowered by AI, transform AI into new quality productive forces across various sectors, and allow every enterprise to become an AI company, achieving truly useful, accessible and beneficial AI for all," he added.

Tan Kiat How, Singapore's senior minister of state for digital development and information, said that he sees tremendous scope for Singapore and Chongqing to deepen practical collaboration in AI applications and smart urban solutions.

Contact the writers at caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn