This year’s “two sessions” in Beijing, the annual meetings of China’s top political advisory body and legislature, have been dominated by discussions on artificial intelligence and China’s burgeoning technological sector. The National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) commenced on Tuesday, and AI has been a central focus in media coverage and discussions.
At the forefront of the discussions are China’s technological breakthroughs, particularly those in artificial intelligence. Senior officials, lawmakers, and advisors have been keen to highlight the opportunities presented by this technology, while also addressing the challenges it poses.
These discussions come amidst an intensifying tech rivalry between China and the United States. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on China’s hi-tech sectors, causing tensions between the two nations. When asked about the competition on Friday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters that there had been “unjustified external suppression,” but also emphasized that China had made significant strides forward, stating, “when there are blockades, there are breakthroughs.” Wang further expressed China’s ambition to become a technology leader and its willingness to share the results of its innovation with other countries.
