China releases international AI ethics governance action plan
A new initiative by China supports inclusive AI governance and developing country participation.
China has released an Action Plan on International Artificial Intelligence Ethics Governance during the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, outlining its vision for international AI governance and ethical cooperation.
Issued under the guidance of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and relevant partners, the plan seeks to strengthen international cooperation on AI ethics within the framework of the UN Pact for the Future and its Global Digital Compact.
The action plan encourages countries to develop AI governance according to their national circumstances while promoting ethical oversight across the entire AI lifecycle. It advocates risk-based governance, agile regulation, stronger cooperation across AI supply chains and greater international policy coordination based on consultation, joint participation and shared benefits.
China also committed to working with international organisations to implement the plan, expand multilateral cooperation and strengthen dialogue among governments, industry and academia. Particular emphasis is placed on supporting developing countries through capacity building, improving access to AI governance resources and promoting a more inclusive global AI governance ecosystem.
The plan further encourages research and open-source collaboration on AI explainability, privacy protection and bias mitigation. It also calls for integrating AI ethics into education, protecting vulnerable groups, including women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities, and helping narrow the digital divide.
Why does it matter?
The action plan reinforces China’s ambition to play a leading role in shaping international AI governance through multilateral institutions, ethical standards and capacity building. By linking the initiative to the UN Global Digital Compact and the Pact for the Future, Beijing is positioning its governance approach within ongoing global discussions on AI regulation.
The emphasis on flexible national implementation, support for developing countries and open-source collaboration also reflects China’s broader effort to influence how international AI governance evolves, particularly in areas where global rules and standards are still taking shape.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!