Xi Jinping to outline ‘AI diplomacy’ vision

People look at a Huawei CloudMatrix 384 system at the Chinese company’s booth during World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai in July 2025. President Xi Jinping is scheduled to make a major address at this year’s WAIC on Friday. (Photo: Reuters)

BEIJING - Chinese President ​Xi Jinping is expected to outline an ambitious vision for China’s ‌role in global AI governance at a forum on Friday, as Huawei showcases its most advanced AI computing cluster yet in a sign of Beijing’s drive to build a domestic alternative to US technology.

Xi’s attendance at the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) for the first time underscores Beijing’s view of AI as both a driver of economic growth and a strategic technology in global competition.