Fu Cong, China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said on Tuesday that the benefits created by artificial intelligence should be shared equally across the world, stressing that AI development must not become concentrated in the hands of only a few countries or companies.
Speaking at a meeting of the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-Building at the United Nations, Fu said artificial intelligence is reshaping economies, societies, and everyday life at an unprecedented pace, making global governance of the technology increasingly important.
He argued that international cooperation on AI must keep pace with rapid technological change and support the goals of the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
According to Fu, the Group of Friends has organised several international meetings and AI capacity-building workshops in China over the past two years, bringing together representatives from nearly 200 countries and organisations to observe China’s AI development efforts.
The Chinese envoy called for a “people-centred” and innovation-driven approach to AI, urging countries to expand practical cooperation through “AI+” industrial applications while ensuring the technology delivers tangible social and economic benefits.
Fu also emphasised the importance of multilateralism and said the United Nations should play a central role in shaping global AI governance. He added that China supports wider international dialogue on AI regulation and governance frameworks.
Highlighting Beijing’s broader ambitions in the sector, Fu pointed to several Chinese-led initiatives, including the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All, the Global AI Governance Action Plan, and the AI+ International Cooperation Initiative.
He said China is willing to work with other countries to ensure AI development benefits are distributed more broadly and fairly worldwide.
The meeting was held as a side event to the 11th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals, attended by more than 120 representatives from over 50 countries and international organisations.
