Headline: China Rejects Claims of ‘Malicious Competition’ as Global AI Safety Debate Intensifies

Date: 14 September 2026

Tags: Artificial Intelligence, China, United States, Technology

Summary:

• China criticised narratives portraying artificial intelligence development as a source of confrontation or “malicious competition”.

• Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun called for AI development that is open, inclusive and internationally beneficial.

• His comments followed Anthropic chief Dario Amodei’s calls for slower AI development without allowing China to overtake the US.

• President Donald Trump opposes slowing development, arguing maintaining America’s technological advantage over China should remain the priority.

• Artificial intelligence has become a major element of US-China strategic competition alongside advanced chips and other technologies.

• China continues expanding its AI industry despite US restrictions on exports of advanced semiconductor technology.

• Chinese officials have also acknowledged AI risks and called for stronger laws, ethical standards and security safeguards.

• China established the World AI Cooperation Organisation in July to promote its approach towards international AI governance.

• US technology leaders including Sam Altman and Satya Nadella have recently called for stronger safeguards around advanced artificial intelligence.

• AI could feature in discussions when Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Trump at the White House next week.

Why this matters: The US and China are the leading AI powers, making cooperation between them potentially important for effective international safety standards.

What’s next: Trump and Xi are preparing for talks next week, with both sides reportedly seeking to include artificial intelligence on the agenda.