China’s Xi Jinping Pushes for AI Self-Reliance Amid Growing U.S. Tech Rivalry

Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed China’s commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in artificial intelligence (AI) development, as the nation intensifies efforts to compete with the United States in this critical technological domain.

During a high-level Politburo study session on Friday, Xi emphasized the importance of “self-reliance and self-strengthening” in AI, encouraging the use of China’s “new whole national system” to accelerate innovation and industry growth.

“We must recognize the gaps and double down on technological innovation, industrial development, and AI-powered applications,” Xi stated, according to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency.

To support this goal, the Chinese government will provide policy support in key areas including government procurement, intellectual property rights, scientific research, and talent development, Xi said.

China Closing the AI Gap with the U.S.

Industry experts say that China has significantly narrowed the AI development gap with the U.S. in the past year. Chinese AI startup DeepSeek gained international attention earlier this year after launching a high-performing AI reasoning model that was trained with less advanced chips, making it both cost-effective and efficient compared to Western models.

The success of DeepSeek challenges the belief that U.S. sanctions are halting China’s AI progress, particularly following the global impact of OpenAI’s ChatGPT launched in late 2022.

China’s AI Strategy: Focus on Chips, Software & Regulation

Xi stressed the need to enhance basic AI research and master core technologies, including high-end semiconductors and foundational software. He called for building an independent and controllable AI ecosystem, integrating both software and hardware.

Additionally, Xi highlighted the urgency of accelerating AI legislation to create a robust risk warning and emergency response system, ensuring that AI remains safe, reliable, and under control.

In a previous statement, Xi also emphasized that AI should not become a “game of rich countries and the wealthy,” advocating for more global cooperation and inclusive governance in AI development.