Chinese FM Wang Yi meets UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Shanghai on Friday, as Guterres attended the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC).

Wang welcomed Guterres' visit to China and his participation in the conference and the signing ceremony for the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO).

Wang said China has put forward proposals on promoting the healthy, safe and orderly development of artificial intelligence, adding that the establishment of the organization aims to ensure AI development remains people-centered, inclusive and beneficial to humanity.

The initiative would also help Global South countries keep pace with the intelligent era, strengthen capacity building and prevent a new digital divide while supporting the United Nations in playing a greater role in AI governance, Wang said.

China is willing to enhance coordination with the UN to advance the governance of emerging technologies, including AI, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, he added.

Wang praised Guterres' decade-long tenure as UN secretary-general, saying he has upheld multilateralism and contributed to global peace and development while promoting fruitful cooperation between the UN and China.

Wang said the trend toward a multipolar world is an inevitable part of history, adding that the international community should strengthen the authority of the UN, advance reforms and promote a more equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization.

Guterres congratulated the successful convening of the AI conference, and spoke highly of China's efforts to establish the WAICO. He said the UN fully agrees with the vision for AI development focused on inclusiveness, safety and benefiting humanity, which aligns with the UN's strategic goals.

The UN is ready to work closely with China and support the new organization in serving the common interests of humanity, Guterres said.

He added that amid challenges facing multilateralism, the UN looks forward to working with China to uphold international law, improve global governance, advance the three pillars of peace, development and human rights, and safeguard the legitimate interests of developing countries.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

(Cover: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attends the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, China, July 17, 2026. /VCG)