China pitches AI governance model for Global South

Introduction

On July 17, 2026, China and 29 other nations established the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation in Shanghai, creating a new body focused on promoting an alternative global artificial intelligence governance model. Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the creation of the organisation, known as WAICO, during his keynote address at the World AI Conference in Shanghai. At the event, President Xi formally launched a global AI governance initiative specifically pitched to developing countries across the Global South.

The newly established organisation brings together 30 founding countries primarily from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. By forming WAICO, Beijing aims to offer these nations an alternative to Western artificial intelligence platforms and governance structures, establishing itself as a central hub for international technological cooperation among emerging economies.

Background

The creation of WAICO reflects Beijing's strategic pursuit of alternatives to Western artificial intelligence platforms, including OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude. Chinese officials have driven these efforts due to national security concerns and perceived risks that the infiltration of Western values could erode national sovereignty.

To gain an advantage in developing nations, Chinese technology firms have relied heavily on an open-source model strategy. Companies such as DeepSeek and Moonshot are utilizing open-source models to expand their adoption across the Global South. This strategy allows developing countries to access advanced technology while aligning with Beijing's framework.

Demonstrating this open-source push, Chinese artificial intelligence company Moonshot announced its Kimi K3 model on the day before the Shanghai summit on July 17, 2026. The Kimi K3 model is an open-source artificial intelligence system featuring 2.8 trillion parameters.

Latest Developments

During the summit on July 17, 2026, President Xi Jinping outlined China's global AI governance vision to delegates, resulting in the formal establishment of WAICO. The organisation will be headquartered in Shanghai and consists of 30 founding member states.

The signatory members joining China in establishing WAICO include Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela. These participating nations represent a major geographic footprint across Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

India attended the summit by sending a Joint Secretary-level delegation but ultimately chose not to join WAICO. This decision makes India the only founding member of the BRICS grouping that has not signed onto the new organization.

To deepen operational ties with participating states, Beijing announced a series of major support commitments. China pledged to provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities in artificial intelligence training and seminar programs over the next five years.

Beijing also unveiled plans to launch joint artificial intelligence application cooperation centres across multiple regional bodies. These designated partners include the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the African Union, the League of Arab States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

Key Facts

• Creation of WAICO: Established on July 17, 2026, in Shanghai during the World AI Conference.
• Leadership: Keynote address delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who launched the global AI governance initiative.
• Member States: 30 founding members, including China and 29 other nations primarily from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• Confirmed Signatories: Include Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela.
• India Position: Sent a Joint Secretary-level delegation but did not join, making it the only founding BRICS member not signed onto WAICO.
• Five-Year Training Plan: China pledged 5,000 training and seminar opportunities for developing nations over the next five years.
• Regional Cooperation Centres: Joint centres planned with ASEAN, African Union, League of Arab States, SCO, BRICS, and CELAC.
• Model Announcements: Moonshot announced its Kimi K3 open-source model with 2.8 trillion parameters the day before the summit; firms like DeepSeek and Moonshot rely on open-source strategies.
• Strategic Motivation: Seeking alternatives to Western AI like ChatGPT and Claude due to national security concerns and risks of Western value infiltration eroding national sovereignty.

Conclusion

The establishment of WAICO marks a significant shift in the global artificial intelligence landscape. China's open-source model approach and emphasis on civilizational sovereignty provide a distinct counterweight to Western artificial intelligence models for Global South countries seeking AI adoption.

The initiative also introduces new strategic considerations for non-participating nations, particularly India. Because China plans to broaden its artificial intelligence initiative within BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, India will need to navigate China's expanding influence in these shared forums without being a WAICO member.

Finally, the planned launch of joint application cooperation centres across regional blocks—including ASEAN, the African Union, the Arab League, BRICS, the SCO, and CELAC—represents a deep multilateral institutionalization. These centres will establish lasting technical ties between China and developing regions, embedding Beijing's governance architecture across the Global South.