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Meredith Chen

China and the US could learn from each other when developing artificial intelligence safety protocols, but only if Washington can reimagine its rivalry-based mindset, according to a prominent Chinese AI expert.
Speaking at the Boao Forum for Asia, Zeng Yi, a member of the United Nations’ high-level AI advisory body, said the US government’s obstruction of China from international safety networks and discussions on the technology was “a very wrong decision”.
“Some countries prioritise their own development of artificial intelligence, or claim it should only serve their own citizens. However, I believe … this empowering technology allows for a world that can accommodate both China and the United States,” he said.
Zeng, who is also a professor with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was speaking after an AI-themed panel discussion at the forum in Hainan province, southern China on Wednesday.
The question of how AI applications and governance can be advanced in a balanced manner is a key topic at this year’s forum, which is being attended by high-level officials, academics and business executives.
According to Zeng, the US and China must work together to jointly “strengthen safety rails” in AI. The potential for cooperation in the technology depends not only on bilateral government actions but also on grass-roots behaviours and corporate exchanges, he said.
“Ethical safety should be regarded as the gene of the development of AI large language models this year … while allowing for robust development,” Zeng said, during a heated debate about how to manage and mitigate potential risks.
While previously the question had been whether safety would hinder development, there was now a preliminary answer based on scientific proof, Zeng said. “The relationship between development and safety is not mutually exclusive. We can ensure safety while maintaining capabilities.”
Zeng and his fellow panellists, who were a mix of AI experts and business leaders, agreed that governance would require multipolar, diverse, and bottom-up global institutions and standardised mechanisms that were based on consensus.

Zhang Yaqin, dean at Tsinghua University’s Institute for AI Research, said the world needed two key agencies – one for technology and industry development and regulation, and another for coordinating policies and facilitating collaboration among nations.
According to Zhang, China’s contribution to the global landscape was demonstrated in January, when DeepSeek sent shock waves around the world with the unveiling of its powerful, low-cost model.
At the Seoul artificial intelligence summit in May last year, the US and a number of countries agreed to create an international network of AI safety institutes. However, China was not included.
Decrying the decision in an interview session after the panel discussion, Zeng said it showed “why we need platforms like the UN, where key stakeholders and low to middle-income countries can have their voices heard to express their concerns and propose solutions”.
While acknowledging that the UN alone could not solve all aspects of the issues, Zeng said that the future of artificial intelligence should be shaped by countries across the world, not just a few.
Zeng pointed out that the Chinese government had put a lot of emphasis on “responsible AI” and was promoting fair use of the technology.


This included training programmes for low- and middle-income countries and the setting up of an inclusive research network encompassing countries in the Belt and Road Initiative and others in AI development and governance, he said.
“The Chinese government would like to take up their responsibility. They would like to share the opportunities. They are inviting everyone to join. They don’t block anyone, even friends from the United States,” Zeng added.
“But we don’t aim to do everything. It is the multi-stakeholder approach for AI governance which needs to be more agile and adaptive to keep pace with the development of AI. This is the voice from China but not only from China.”
According to Zeng, Beijing could roll out regulations and standards for emerging sectors involving AI to address the most critical and urgent issues that typically arise within a few months, noting that a comprehensive law – like that proposed by the EU – may not be as timely.
Fellow panellist Jiang Xiaojuan – a professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and former deputy secretary general of the State Council, China’s cabinet – said that DeepSeek had alleviated some concerns about the development of AI models.
From an economic perspective, the DeepSeek model had shifted the focus from monopolies to genuine competition, she said. “I am confident that in a competitive market, many issues will resolve themselves without needing high-level discussions on numerous principles.”


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Artificial intelligence experts and business leaders discuss how the world can build effective governance models for all countries


Artificial intelligence experts and business leaders discuss how the world can build effective governance models for all countries.


Do China and the US need to work together on AI safety? Boao Forum debates

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Artificial intelligence experts and business leaders discuss how the world can build effective governance models for all countries

Artificial intelligence experts and business leaders discuss how the world can build effective governance models for all countries