China says no forced sides, no blocs, no zero-sum mindset on AI

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Wednesday voiced strong opposition to attempts to force countries into taking sides on artificial intelligence (AI), rejecting any form of bloc confrontation in the field.

Lin made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to reports that the United States plans to send a letter to signatories of the "Joint Statement on AI Opportunity Partnership," urging them not to simultaneously join US-led initiatives and other mechanisms that conflict with them.

"AI is the crystallization of human wisdom and a shared treasure for all," Lin said.

He noted that the international community widely expects extensive cooperation on AI, and that every country has the right to choose its partners based on its national conditions and development needs.

Lin stressed that China firmly opposes forcing countries to pick sides or engaging in camp-based confrontation over AI.

He called on all parties to abandon zero-sum thinking, uphold solidarity, respect the digital sovereignty of all nations, and work together to build a just and equitable global governance system for AI so that the technology can serve as a key driver for promoting shared prosperity and safeguarding common security.