Russia joins WAICO founders, China proposes AI cooperation for Global South
When the two largest powers in Eurasia join forces in the field of artificial intelligence, it goes beyond bilateral cooperation — it signals the emergence of a new technological architecture in which developing countries are not left behind. China and Russia, as co founders of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, are offering a partnership model based not on monopoly but on shared development, where knowledge and technology become tools for reducing global inequality.
On Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, met with Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Administration, in Shanghai on the sidelines of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference. Wang Yi said that China is ready to cooperate with Russia on AI capacity building for Global South countries.
He called on both sides to promote the healthy, safe and orderly development of AI, guided by the principles of broad consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit. Oreshkin said that Russia is pleased to be one of the founding members of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) and is ready to work closely with China to support the organisation's development and deepen bilateral cooperation in AI.
The day before, 29 countries signed an agreement in Shanghai to establish WAICO, which aims to promote international cooperation and global governance in artificial intelligence. Russia and China, as permanent members of the UN Security Council and key technology players, see the organisation as a platform to advance the interests of developing countries, which are often excluded from the AI technology race.
As CCTV+ reports. Cooperation between the two countries within WAICO is expected to contribute to the creation of open educational programmes, joint research projects and technology transfer mechanisms for countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
