China releases AI action plan days after the U.S. as global tech race heats up

The AI Cold War: China Throws Down the Gauntlet **Did you know that the race for global AI dominance is heating up faster than a quantum computer?** This isn't just a tech battle; it's a geopolitical showdown shaping the future. And China just made its biggest move yet.

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A Global AI Initiative: China's Bold Play The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai exploded with news last Saturday, July 26th, 2025. Premier Li Qiang didn't just give a speech; he launched a global action plan for AI, a strategic roadmap that's sending shockwaves through Silicon Valley and beyond. Imagine the scene: a packed auditorium, buzzing with anticipation, as the Premier unveiled a bold proposal: a *global AI cooperation organization*. This isn't just about code; it's about power.

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This announcement came hot on the heels of the US's own AI action plan – a plan that focuses on countering perceived "woke" biases and boosting American tech dominance. The stage is set, the players are in position… the game is on. Two Camps, Two Visions: A New Tech Divide?

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Asia Group partner George Chen perfectly summarized the situation: "Two camps are forming." China, with its multilateral approach, is aiming for broad international collaboration. The US, on the other hand, seems focused on building its own exclusive alliance, primarily targeting China's burgeoning AI capabilities. Who will win this technological tug-of-war? Think about it: China’s Belt and Road Initiative could become a powerful recruitment tool for this new global AI organization. Meanwhile, the US is likely to rely on its established network of allies, including Japan and Australia. Will this lead to a fracturing of the global tech landscape? The implications are staggering.

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China's "AI Plus" Strategy and the Semiconductor Struggle Premier Li’s “AI Plus” plan aims to integrate AI across every industry in China. He also pledged to help other nations, particularly those in the Global South, embrace this transformative technology. This is a powerful offer. It's a strategic move that could significantly shift global power dynamics.

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But the path isn't smooth. The US has been actively restricting China's access to advanced semiconductors – vital for training sophisticated AI models – since 2022. While Nvidia recently resumed shipping less advanced chips, the situation remains tense. China, however, is rapidly developing its own semiconductor alternatives, prompting even Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to describe them as "formidable." This raises a crucial question: Can China truly break free from US tech dependency? High-Stakes Meetings and Unanswered Questions

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Adding another layer of intrigue, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt's recent meeting with Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining just days before the WAIC fuels speculation. What did they discuss? The implications could be enormous. What secrets were exchanged in those closed-door meetings? **What does the future hold for the global AI landscape? Will China's ambitious plan succeed? Stay tuned for the next chapter in this epic tech showdown.**