# Xi launches China-led AI body, 29 nations sign, West absent

> China launched WAICO, a 29-nation AI governance body, on 16 July 2026.

*The new World AI Cooperation Organization, headquartered in Shanghai, drew Global South members but no major Western democracy.*

By Behzad Hosseini · FeaturedDaily
Canonical: https://featureddaily.com/news/xi-launches-china-led-ai-body-29-nations-sign-west-absent

**What happened:** China formally launched the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) on 16 July 2026, a day before Xi Jinping opened the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai.

**The numbers:** 29 countries signed, including Indonesia, Brazil, Malaysia, South Africa, Senegal, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Laos. Xi pledged 5,000 AI training places for developing countries.

**The details:** WAICO is an independent intergovernmental body headquartered in Shanghai, tasked with promoting AI cooperation and developing shared rules. Premier Li Qiang first proposed it in July 2025. Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed on China's behalf, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres attended.

**Who's affected:** The United States is not a member. No major Western democracy signed.

**Why it matters:** This was Xi's first appearance at WAIC in its nine-year history, according to [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/17/chinas-xi-jinping-launches-new-ai-alliance-what-is-it). Analysts told the outlet Beijing will likely use WAICO to shape global AI rules and push its state-led governance model among Global South countries, whose votes matter at the UN.

**The context:** The launch comes after the US tightened semiconductor export restrictions on Chinese companies in May 2026. Global AI governance is increasingly splitting into rival blocs.

**In their words:** Xi said: "AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation."

**What's next:** At WAIC's opening, [Xinhua reported](https://english.news.cn/20260716/2d364f232dd7456c8edf1d67d5125d37/c.html) Huawei unveiled its 8,192-chip Atlas 950 supercomputer, and more than 300 AI products were launched at the show.

## Key takeaways

- 29 countries signed the WAICO agreement in Shanghai on 16 July
- No US or major Western democracy joined the new body
- Xi pledged 5,000 AI training places for developing nations

## 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