Xi proposes AI center and $280 million funding at SCO summit
Chinese President Xi Jinping announced plans for a Shanghai Cooperation Organization artificial intelligence center during the bloc's leaders' summit in Tianjin on September 1. China will provide 2B yuan ($280M) in grants this year and 10 billion yuan in loans over three years to support the initiative.
Xi addressed leaders including Russia's Vladimir Putin and India's Narendra Modi at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center. He outlined proposals for an SCO development bank and called for expanded cooperation in the digital economy and science sectors.
"We must oppose the Cold War mentality, block confrontation and bullying practices," Xi said during his remarks. He added that China is "ready to build the artificial intelligence application cooperation center, and share the dividends of progress in AI."
The Chinese leader announced additional cooperation platforms for energy, green industry, and digital economy sectors. Xi also proposed creating centers for scientific innovation and higher education cooperation between member states.
Xi framed the proposals as part of efforts to reform global governance and expand SCO's economic role. He called for "democratisation of international relations" and supporting a "multipolar" world order while opposing hegemonism.
China will establish new SCO security bodies as part of the expanded cooperation framework. The proposals aim to increase the organization's involvement in high-tech fields beyond its traditional security focus. Beijing has outlined multiple funding mechanisms and institutional changes to strengthen economic ties within the 10-member organization.
Xi invited SCO members to participate in broader scientific initiatives alongside the AI cooperation center. The funding commitments represent significant Chinese investment in regional technological cooperation.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, founded in 2001, now includes 10 permanent members plus observer and dialogue partners. The Tianjin summit focused on expanding economic architecture through the proposed development bank and enhanced cooperation in emerging technology sectors.
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