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World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (Waico)

World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (Waico)
The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (Waico) was founded in July 2026, having been proposed by China ahead of its 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference to encourage collaboration and technology sharing in the Global South as an alternative to Western-led AI frameworks. It is seen as a rival to America's Pax Silica initiative.
The first session of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 6. Photo: Xinhua
Diplomacy

Opinion | US-China AI rivalry needn’t preclude cooperation

Forcing countries to choose between the US’ and China’s initiatives would be counterproductive to global AI governance.

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US-China relations

Uzbekistan tests US-China AI rift with bid to join rival tech bloc

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US-China relations

US efforts to secure AI supply chains doomed to fail: Chinese academic

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US-China relations

Exclusive | Waico vs Pax Silica: Southeast Asia caught between China and US in AI race

Beijing reportedly offers exclusive perks to attract Global South partners while describing the American-led body as exclusionary.

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Protesters march in Manila on August 13 against Pax Silica, a US-led initiative established in December with the aim of reducing “coercive dependencies”. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

China urged to avoid ‘us or them’ split with US over AI governance

Both superpowers have set up their own international blocs, fuelling concerns that other countries will be forced to pick sides.

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The Philippines

Will Philippines win race to secure Pax Silica hub before neighbours do?

Top diplomat warns Manila risks losing out on the opportunity if it ‘drops the ball’, even as environmental and sovereignty concerns grow.

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Artificial intelligence

Opinion | The AI order will have 3 tracks, not 2

Between American-secured diffusion and Chinese developmental multilateralism, middle powers have space to make their presence felt.

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance, in Geneva on July 6. Photo: AFP
Artificial intelligence

What a visit to China’s AI labs reveals about the battle for global soft power

The ultimate prize in AI is not just owning the technology, but having the power to dictate rules, frame ethics and command global influence.

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US-Asean relations

Exclusive | Philippines, sovereignty, Pax Silica Industrial Hub – how US’ Helberg sees it

Senior US official tackles suggestions that Manila’s jurisdiction could be eroded by a joint supply chain project.

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China-Latin America relations

China vows to defend Brazil’s sovereignty as Trump’s 25% tariff bites

Wang Yi tells Brazilian foreign minister Beijing backs Brazil’s sovereignty, and asks for support on ‘China’s own core interests’ in return.

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Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira (centre, left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (centre, right) meet on the sidelines of the Asean foreign ministers' meeting in Manila, the Philippines, on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua
Indonesia

Indonesia’s AI ambitions test US-China balancing act

Analysts warn joining the new body could limit Indonesia’s access to US-made AI models and proprietary technology.

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Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto (left), who represented the country at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on Thursday, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Photo: Xinhua
SCMP Highlights

Malaysia’s US$500m warship, Philippines’ Pax Silica AI hub: 7 Asia highlights

From Bali’s bid to become a financial hub to Japan’s bind over US’ ICC campaign, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

The Philippines

Philippines’ Pax Silica AI hub plan slammed for mineral ‘plunder’

The proposed US-led plan is another example of the authorities’ insincerity in addressing the concerns of affected communities, critics say.

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Artificial intelligence

Top takeaways from Xi Jinping’s opening address at the World AI Conference

The speech marks the Chinese president’s first-ever keynote address at the nation’s premier artificial intelligence summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the opening ceremony for the World AI Conference in Shanghai on Friday. Photo: EPA
Artificial intelligence

Xi Jinping says ‘one country’ cannot monopolise AI – as it happened

President’s personal attendance seen as a sign of China’s inclusion of artificial intelligence into broader geopolitical strategy.

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President Xi Jinping arrives at the opening ceremony for the World AI Conference in Shanghai on Friday. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Exclusive | Anthropic, China and why Pax Silica architect thinks the US can keep AI lead

Brief curbs on foreign access to Anthropic’s Fable and Mythos models designed to keep infrastructure safe, Jacob Helberg says.

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China-India relations

Exclusive | US assures India over AI ‘kill switch’ as ‘Pax Silica’ expands to counter China

New Delhi says Washington pledged AI access would continue after Anthropic restrictions as the US-led initiative adds new members.

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The Philippines

US tech supply chain hub tackling China hits Philippine sovereignty wall

Manila pushes back against reports that a US-backed AI industrial hub will come under US laws and diplomatic protections.

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Tugboats assist a container ship as it prepares to dock at the Manila International Container Terminal on April 8. Photo: AP
The Philippines

Can a US-governed ‘Pax Silica’ hub turn Philippines into a chip powerhouse?

The chip-focused ‘economic security zone’ will reportedly operate under US law despite being on Philippine soil.

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Diplomacy

Beyond Pax Silica: Japan, France and Canada seek rare earth autonomy

Wary of both Beijing’s grip and Washington’s whims, three G7 allies are charting their own independent critical mineral course.

US-China relations

Opinion | Pax Sinica vs Pax Silica: how China-US mineral war is taking shape

The US approach of deploying capital and diplomatic leverage must make up for China’s years-long head start in building its reserves.

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An employee of Chinese company CMOC holds a form of cobalt hydroxide produced at the Tenke Fungurume mine, one of the largest copper and cobalt mines in the world, in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on June 17, 2023. Photo: AFP
US-China trade war

Will US-led ‘Pax Silica’ be a new dawn for the international AI supply chain?

Trump administration aims for deeper technology cooperation on new AI infrastructure with allies.

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Representatives of the “Pax Silica” signatories hold signed documents at a summit held in Washington on December 12. The initiative is America’s new vision for the international AI supply chain. Photo: Getty Images/AFP
India

‘Pax Silica’: America’s new AI inner circle and Asia’s chosen few

Japan, South Korea and Singapore made the cut, leaving key partners like India and Vietnam – and even New Zealand – on the sidelines.

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