Report on China’s Proposal for Global AI Governance and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

A report on recent developments in the global governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), focusing on China’s proposal at the World AI Conference (WAIC) and its implications for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Executive Summary: A Call for International Cooperation

China has formally proposed a global action plan for the governance of Artificial Intelligence, positioning the initiative as a crucial step towards achieving international consensus. Presented by Premier Li Qiang at the World AI Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, the proposal directly addresses the current fragmentation in global AI oversight. This call for a unified framework underscores the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), advocating for enhanced global collaboration to manage a technology with worldwide impact. The Chinese initiative was announced shortly after the United States unveiled its own AI action plan, highlighting a growing geopolitical focus on the technology sector.

Fostering Global Partnerships and Strong Institutions (SDG 17 & SDG 16)

Premier Li Qiang’s address emphasized the necessity of a coordinated global approach to prevent the splintering of AI governance. He noted significant differences among nations regarding regulatory concepts and institutional rules, calling for a framework built on broad consensus. This aligns with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), which seeks to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

• ASEAN’s Position: Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, echoed the need for “robust governance” to mitigate AI-related threats such as misinformation and cybersecurity risks, while harnessing its potential for societal good.
• Industry Call for Collaboration: Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt explicitly urged the US and China to collaborate, stating their vested interest in maintaining global stability and ensuring human control over AI tools.

These statements collectively reinforce the imperative for international partnerships to create a stable and secure technological future.

Driving Innovation and Economic Growth (SDG 9 & SDG 8)

China’s commitment to AI development is a significant driver of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The nation’s AI sector is expanding rapidly, supported by substantial government and private investment.

1. Investment Statistics:
   • China’s core AI industry was valued at $84 billion in April 2025.
   • State venture capital firms invested an estimated $209 billion into AI-related businesses between 2013 and 2023.
   • China has consistently published more generative AI patents annually than all other countries combined since 2017.
2. Economic Impact: The development of AI is projected to have a profound economic impact, contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Research from Morgan Stanley predicts a 52% return on investment in China’s AI market by 2030. Furthermore, the ASEAN Secretary-General noted that AI implementation could increase the region’s GDP by 10-18%.

The WAIC 2025 event served as a platform to showcase these innovations, featuring over 3,000 exhibits from more than 800 companies, including new AI models, smart glasses, and advanced robotics.

Addressing Technological Inequality (SDG 10)

A central theme of the discourse was the risk of widening the global digital divide, a direct challenge to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Premier Li warned that technological monopolies, controls, and restrictions could turn AI into an “exclusive game for a small number of countries and enterprises.” This concern is amplified by ongoing trade tensions, particularly US restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports to China.

However, recent developments in China’s tech sector may offer a path toward more equitable access. The emergence of highly efficient and low-cost AI models, such as those from startups DeepSeek and Moonshot, demonstrates the potential to democratize advanced technology. By outperforming established models at a fraction of the development cost, these innovations could help narrow the gap between nations and foster more inclusive technological progress.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… encouraging innovation and substantially increasing… public and private research and development spending.
     
     The article extensively discusses the global “AI race,” focusing on massive investments in AI research and development. It states that between 2013 and 2023, Chinese state venture capital firms invested an “estimated $209 billion into AI-related businesses,” and public sector spending is expected to top “$56 billion” this year. It also highlights innovation through the mention of China publishing “more patents for generative AI inventions annually than all other countries combined” and the development of new, cost-effective AI models like DeepSeek’s R1.
   • Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries…
     
     The article details China’s efforts to build its domestic AI industry, which is valued at “$84 billion” with “more than 5,000 AI companies.” China’s proposal for a global action plan and its push against “technological monopoly, controls and restrictions” can be seen as an effort to create a policy environment that supports its own technology development and innovation on a global scale.

2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation…
     
     The article highlights multiple calls for international cooperation. Chinese Premier Li Qiang stated, “We should strengthen coordination to form a global AI governance framework that has broad consensus.” Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt explicitly called for the US and China to “collaborate on these issues.” The World AI Conference (WAIC) itself, attended by tech titans from “more than 40 countries,” serves as a platform for such cooperation.
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources…
     
     The WAIC is presented as a multi-stakeholder partnership. The article notes its attendees include “more than 800 companies” (like Tencent, Alibaba, Tesla, Amazon), government officials (Chinese Premier Li Qiang), representatives of international organizations (ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn), and academic experts (“the godfather of AI” Geoffrey Hinton). This gathering aims to “further AI research, development and governance.”

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation…
     
     The article connects AI development directly to economic growth. It cites research from Morgan Stanley predicting China’s AI market will deliver a “52% return on investment as early as 2030.” Furthermore, it mentions that AI implementation in ASEAN could “increase the region’s GDP by 10-18%,” demonstrating the link between technological upgrading and economic productivity.

4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
     
     The core theme of the article is the need for AI governance. China’s proposal for a “global action plan to govern artificial intelligence” and the ASEAN Secretary-General’s call for “robust governance” to mitigate threats like “misinformation, deepfakes, and cybersecurity threats” directly relate to the development of effective and accountable institutions to manage new technologies.
   • Target 16.8: Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.
     
     Premier Li Qiang’s concern that without global coordination, “AI will become an exclusive game for a small number of countries and enterprises” reflects a desire for broader participation in global governance. China, as a major developing country, is positioning itself to “play a leading role in” AI governance, thereby strengthening its participation.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

   • Indicator (related to 9.5.1 – R&D expenditure): The article provides specific financial figures for AI investment, such as China’s public sector spending on AI expected to top “400 billion yuan ($56 billion)” this year and private AI investment in the US reaching “$109.1 billion in 2024.”
   • Indicator (related to 9.5 – Innovation): The number of patents is mentioned as a key indicator of innovation, with the article stating, “Since 2017, China has published more patents for generative AI inventions annually than all other countries combined.” The number of AI companies (“more than 5,000” in China) and new product debuts (“over 100” at WAIC) also serve as indicators.

2. For SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

   • Indicator (related to 8.2.1 – Growth rate of real GDP): The article provides projected economic growth figures, such as the potential for AI to “increase the region’s [ASEAN] GDP by 10-18%.” It also mentions a projected “52% return on investment” for China’s AI market by 2030.

3. For SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

   • Indicator (related to 17.16 – Multi-stakeholder partnerships): The existence and scale of the World AI Conference (WAIC) is an indicator. The article specifies it was “Attended by more than 800 companies” from “more than 40 countries,” involving government, private sector, and academic stakeholders.

4. For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)

   • Indicator (related to 16.6 – Effective institutions): The primary indicator mentioned is the proposal and potential formation of a “global AI governance framework.” The article highlights China’s proposal for a “global action plan” and the US unveiling its own “28-page AI action plan,” showing initial steps toward creating such institutions.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cnn.com