# Xi launches World AI Cooperation Organization in Shanghai

> China launched a 29-country AI governance body, WAICO, on 17 July 2026.

*Twenty-nine countries signed the founding agreement, but no major Western democracy joined the new Beijing-based body.*

By Behzad Hosseini · WireRead
Canonical: https://wireread.com/news/xi-launches-world-ai-cooperation-organization-in-shanghai

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on 17 July 2026 and hailed the new World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, a body signed into being a day earlier by 29 countries. It was his first appearance at the conference in its nine-year history.

Xinhua said foreign ministers and representatives signed the WAICO founding agreement in Shanghai on 16 July 2026, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signing on behalf of China and UN Secretary-General António Guterres in attendance.

WAICO is an independent intergovernmental organisation headquartered in Shanghai, intended to promote international cooperation on artificial intelligence and develop shared rules across countries, according to [Xinhua](https://english.news.cn/20260716/2d364f232dd7456c8edf1d67d5125d37/c.html). Premier Li Qiang first proposed the body in July 2025.

Founding members include Indonesia, Brazil, Malaysia, South Africa, Senegal, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Laos. The United States is not a member, and no major Western democracy has joined, according to [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/17/chinas-xi-jinping-launches-new-ai-alliance-what-is-it).

Xi called WAICO an important milestone in the history of AI development and pledged 5,000 AI training places for developing countries. "AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation," Xi said.

Huawei displayed its Atlas 950 supercomputer, built with 8,192 chips, at the conference opening, and more than 300 AI products were launched at the show, Al Jazeera said.

Analysts told Al Jazeera that Beijing is likely to use WAICO to shape global AI governance rules and promote its state-led model among Global South countries, whose votes at the United Nations carry weight. The launch follows US restrictions on semiconductor shipments to Chinese companies imposed in May 2026, as global AI governance splits into competing blocs.

## Key takeaways

- 29 countries signed the WAICO agreement in Shanghai on 16 July 2026
- Xi pledged 5,000 AI training places for developing countries
- The US and major Western democracies are not members

## Sources

- [China's Xi Jinping launches new AI alliance: What is it?](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/17/chinas-xi-jinping-launches-new-ai-alliance-what-is-it) — Al Jazeera, 2026-07-17
- [29 countries sign agreement on establishing World AI Cooperation Organization](https://english.news.cn/20260716/2d364f232dd7456c8edf1d67d5125d37/c.html) — Xinhua, 2026-07-16