Chinese AI delegation heads to Paris summit

China‘s Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing will attend the AI Action Summit in France as President Xi Jinping‘s special representative, joining delegates from nearly 100 nations to discuss artificial intelligence safety and development.

Summit details and participation: The AI Action Summit in France will run from Sunday through February 12, bringing together global leaders to address the future of AI technology.

• Representatives from approximately 100 nations are expected to participate in discussions focused on the safe development of artificial intelligence
• U.S. Vice President JD Vance will lead the American delegation, though notably without technical staff from the AI Safety Institute
• The summit represents a major gathering of international leaders focused on establishing guidelines for AI development and safety

China’s diplomatic objectives: China has expressed its intention to use the summit as a platform for international cooperation and dialogue on AI governance.

• Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized China’s commitment to strengthening communication and exchanges with all participating nations
• China aims to build consensus on cooperation among participating countries
• The nation has indicated its support for implementing the United Nations Global Digital Compact through summit participation

Geopolitical context: The summit occurs amid growing global attention to AI governance and international cooperation in technology development.

• The participation of high-level representatives from both China and the U.S. suggests the strategic importance both nations place on AI development and regulation
• The absence of technical staff from the U.S. AI Safety Institute may indicate certain limitations in technical cooperation between nations

Reading the diplomatic signals: The selection of Vice Premier Zhang as Xi’s special representative demonstrates China’s serious approach to international AI governance while maintaining strategic flexibility in its commitments.

• The choice to send a vice premier rather than Xi himself allows China to maintain high-level representation while preserving diplomatic maneuverability
• The summit provides an opportunity for China to shape international AI governance discussions while showcasing its commitment to global technological cooperation