{
  "id": 852362,
  "title": "China urged to avoid ‘us or them’ split with US over AI governance",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/china-urged-to-avoid-us-or-them-split-with-us-over-ai-governance",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-14T08:28:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3364019/china-urged-avoid-us-or-them-split-us-over-ai-governance"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "International analysts have cautioned China to avoid positioning a new artificial intelligence (AI) body, World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (Waico), as \"naturally opposed\" to the US and its allies. Waico, established at a recent conference in Shanghai, currently has 29 members and has since added nine more. China insists that Waico is intended to promote \"AI for good and for all,\" but it has faced scrutiny as it is seen by some as a strategic move to rally friendly capitals against Washington in the global AI race. Pax Silica, another AI-focused organization with 24 members, is perceived as an effort to form a tech bloc that is separate from China. Analysts argue that the two organizations have different focuses and are not inherently opposed. However, the competitive nature between them could increase as AI governance, industrial policy, and national security become intertwined. Sun Chenghao, a senior fellow at Tsinghua University, suggests that Waico's success depends on its ability to offer open cooperation, capacity building, and tangible opportunities for development. Huang Ping, assistant dean at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen)’s school of public policy, believes Waico should aim for an inclusive international AI organization under the UN system, avoiding confrontation with US mechanisms. Some European countries see the relationship between the two blocs as competitive but are cautious about joining Waico due to alliance relationships, technology supply chains, and domestic politics. Sun warns that the greatest risk to Waico's expansion could be being labeled as a \"China bloc\" by the outside world, which could discourage middle countries from joining, even if they support its development orientation. Huang suggests that China could reduce the political cost of joining Waico by not setting exclusionary clauses, allowing both Pax Silica members to participate as observers. He also advises Waico to showcase open-source, cost-effective AI models and products to attract more members, including Pax Silica members.",
  "summary": "China should try to make sure that its new international artificial intelligence body is not seen as “naturally opposed” to the United States and its allies in case it puts off prospective members, analysts have warned. They said the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (Waico) was not designed as an alternative to the US Pax Silica partnership, which was established last…",
  "key_points": [
    "China's Waico urged not to be seen as opposed to US in AI governance.",
    "Waico has 29 members, added nine more since establishment.",
    "Analysts advise Waico to avoid 'China bloc' label, offer open cooperation."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
        "title": "China urged to avoid ‘us or them’ split with US over AI governance",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/china-urged-to-avoid-us-or-them-split-with-us-over-ai-governance-853283",
        "published": "2026-08-14T08:28:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}