People's Daily: Proactively Engaging in and Leading the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence
On April 3rd, the People's Daily international commentary brand "He Yin"(和音） released an article titled "Proactively Engaging in and Leading the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence"(积极参与和引领人工智能全球治理).
The "He Yin" column is an important international commentary column launched with the approval of the Editorial Board of the People's Daily. Since its inception in 2019, its central mission has been to promote and interpret the thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era of Xi Jinping. It has showcased China's responsibility as a major country, reflecting the contributions of Chinese wisdom and solutions to world peace and development. With its high-level positioning, leading topics, and innovative expressions, the column has effectively led and influenced both domestic and international public opinion. It has become an important brand column of the CCP Central Committee's official newspaper and a crucial vehicle for enhancing China's international communication capabilities.
In recent years, China has openly declared its aspiration to spearhead the global governance of AI, vigorously engaging in pertinent international forums and voicing its stance and recommendations on global AI governance issues.
In August 2023, the World Internet Conference's AI Working Group (世界互联网大会人工智能工作组) kickoff meeting was held in Beijing. Nearly 40 members from globally renowned enterprises, experts, and scholars in the field of AI attended. They engaged in in-depth exchanges and discussions on the working group's objectives and the proposed framework for the research report on generative AI.
In October 2023, President Xi Jinping unveiled the Global AI Governance Initiative(全球人工智能治理倡议） during the keynote address at the 10th anniversary of China's Belt and Road Forum. This timing and platform suggest the initiative is a significant part of China's broader strategy to shape global norms and influence around emerging technologies like AI.
In November 2023, the inaugural Global AI Security Summit was held in the UK, where representatives from China, the United States, the UK, the EU, and others signed the "Bletchley Declaration."
In March 2023, China, along with 121 other nations, co-sponsored a United Nations AI resolution proposed by the United States. This co-sponsorship is seen as a rare diplomatic victory for the U.S., suggesting further cooperation between the two countries on AI safety and governance.
In April 2024, China issued the Chair's Statement on China-Africa AI Cooperation at the 2024 China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum(2024年中非互联网发展与合作论坛关于中非人工智能合作的主席声明), deepening friendly cooperation in the field of AI between China and Africa, further promoting the high-level development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Africa.
Fundamentally, China's approach to the global governance of AI incorporates critical principles that have been central to its positions on global internet and data governance. These include underscoring "the United Nations' central role," "creating international governance bodies within the UN framework," "complying with applied international law," and "boosting the representation and voice of developing nations." Amidst the ongoing technological competition with the United States, China has also introduced several new and specific proposals. These include a stance against “small yard, high fence", technological monopolies, unilateral sanctions, and supporting open-source technologies. These proposals clearly mirror China's political priorities.
Proactively Engaging in and Leading the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence
As a major player in AI, China is confident and capable of further engaging and leading the way. Together with all parties, we uphold the concept of consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits, work together to promote AI governance, and push the global governance system in the right direction.
In October 2023, President Xi Jinping announced the "Global AI Governance Initiative." This initiative focuses on the critical field of AI, addressing why global governance needs strengthening and how to govern, providing a Chinese solution for the healthy development of AI. The initiative not only serves as the fundamental guideline for China's active participation in global AI governance but also represents a significant public good contribution to the world. Over the past six months, China has actively implemented the initiative, upholding the banner of building a community of shared future for mankind, promoting Chinese ideas and actively participating in global AI governance, garnering widespread international attention.
Leadership in diplomacy has played a crucial role. President Xi Jinping has engaged in strategic communication with various parties on global AI governance, promoting dialogue and cooperation. China was invited to attend the AI Security Summit in the UK, actively participated in discussions on AI ethics and technical standards at UNESCO, ITU, and ISO, and vigorously promoted UN international cooperation in AI capacity building. Discussions on global AI governance were held at the Boao Forum for Asia and the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, guiding exchanges and cooperation among the G20, BRICS countries, and others. Two Chinese experts were selected for the UN High-Level Advisory Board on AI, contributing important views and proposals to discussions on future international governance principles and institutional establishment. It can be said that China has become an indispensable participant in global AI governance, with the international community widely praising China's role.
Participating in and leading global AI governance helps promote AI development. Faced with debates on international governance concepts, China strongly advocates the principle of balancing AI development and security, emphasizing that governance's fundamental purpose is not to restrict development but to prevent potential risks and thoroughly explore the opportunities it brings. China actively promotes creating an open, transparent, and inclusive environment for AI development, firmly opposing creating barriers to development in the AI field through technological monopolies and unilateral sanctions and maliciously obstructing other countries' AI development. China vigorously promotes international cooperation and advocates sharing AI knowledge achievements and open-source AI technology.
Participating in and leading global AI governance helps establish a fair and just international system. There is an in-depth international discussion on significant issues such as AI security risks, governance principles, and mechanisms. China advocates that AI development adheres to the principle of "AI for Good," complies with applicable international law, and aligns with the shared values of all humanity, including peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom. China emphasizes the role of the United Nations as the main channel, forming an international consensus based on broad participation and consensus, explicitly supporting establishing international governance institutions under the UN framework and coordinating significant issues related to AI development, security, and governance.
Participating in and leading global AI governance reflects China's responsible role as a big power. Global AI development and governance are not balanced. China actively speaks up for developing countries, firmly advocating that all countries have equal rights to develop and utilize AI, calling for enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in global AI governance, and ensuring equal rights, opportunities, and rules for all countries. China promotes international cooperation in AI capacity building, advocates for AI empowerment for sustainable development, and bridges the widening digital and intelligence divides.
With the rapid development of AI technology, the global governance process of AI is accelerating. As a major player in AI, China is confident and capable of further engaging and leading the way. Together with all parties, we uphold the concept of consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits, work together to promote AI governance and push the global governance system in the right direction.
人民日报和音：积极参与和引领人工智能全球治理
作为人工智能大国，中国有信心有能力进一步参与并发挥引领作用，与各方一道秉持共商共建共享理念，协力共同促进人工智能治理，推动全球治理体系变革朝着正确方向前进
2023年10月，习近平主席宣布提出《全球人工智能治理倡议》。倡议聚焦人工智能这一事关人类未来的重要领域，系统回答了为什么要加强全球治理以及如何治理的问题，为保障人工智能健康发展提供了中国方案。倡议既为中国积极参与人工智能全球治理提供了根本遵循，也成为中国为世界贡献的重要公共产品。近半年来，中国积极落实倡议，高举构建人类命运共同体旗帜，唱响中国理念主张，深入参与人工智能全球治理，受到国际社会广泛关注。
元首外交发挥了重要引领作用。习近平主席同各方就人工智能全球治理进行战略沟通，推动对话合作。中国应邀出席在英国举行的人工智能安全峰会，积极参加联合国教科文组织、国际电信联盟、国际标准化组织等关于人工智能伦理讨论和技术标准制定，大力推动联合国加强人工智能能力建设国际合作。中国在博鳌亚洲论坛、世界互联网大会乌镇峰会围绕人工智能全球治理进行研讨，引导二十国集团、金砖国家等开展相关交流合作。中国两名专家入选联合国人工智能高级别咨询机构，为事关未来国际治理原则和机构创设的讨论贡献了重要看法和主张。可以说，中国已成为全球人工智能治理不可或缺的重要参与方，国际社会对中国的作用普遍予以高度评价。
参与和引领人工智能全球治理，有助于促进人工智能发展。面对国际治理理念之争，中国大力倡导人工智能发展与安全并重的原则，强调治理的根本目的不是限制发展，而是防范人工智能的潜在风险，充分挖掘和利用其带来的机遇。中国积极推动为人工智能发展创造开放、透明、包容的环境，坚决反对在人工智能领域搞“小院高墙”，利用技术垄断和单边制裁措施制造发展壁垒，恶意阻挠他国人工智能发展。中国大力促进国际合作，主张共享人工智能知识成果、开源人工智能技术。
参与和引领人工智能全球治理，有助于推动建立公平公正的国际体系。当前，国际上正在深入讨论人工智能安全风险和治理原则、机制等重大问题。中国主张人工智能发展坚持“智能向善”宗旨，遵守适用的国际法，符合和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值。中国强调联合国发挥主渠道作用，在广泛参与、协商一致基础上形成国际共识，明确支持建立联合国框架下的国际治理机构，协调人工智能发展、安全、治理重大议题。
参与和引领人工智能全球治理，体现中国负责任大国担当。全球人工智能发展和治理并不均衡。中国积极为发展中国家仗义执言，旗帜鲜明主张各国都有平等发展和利用人工智能的权利，呼吁增强发展中国家在人工智能全球治理中的代表性和发言权，确保各国权利平等、机会平等、规则平等。中国推动人工智能能力建设国际合作，主张人工智能赋能可持续发展，弥合不断扩大的数字鸿沟和智能鸿沟。
伴随着人工智能技术飞速发展，人工智能全球治理进程加快推进。作为人工智能大国，中国有信心有能力进一步参与并发挥引领作用，与各方一道秉持共商共建共享理念，协力共同促进人工智能治理，推动全球治理体系变革朝着正确方向前进。