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China Premier Calls for Swift AI Governance at World Economic Forums Dalian Summit
On June 24, 2026, China’s premier Li Qiang stepped onto the stage at the World Economic Forum’s 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions—known as Summer Davos—in the bustling port city of Dalian. In a speech that drew attention from business leaders, academics and policymakers alike, Li urged governments worldwide to accelerate the regulation of artificial intelligence, warning that a lag in governance could leave nations vulnerable to the technology’s unintended consequences.
Li pointed to the unprecedented pace at which AI is evolving and its capacity to boost innovation efficiency. Yet he cautioned that without timely oversight, the field could give rise to serious risks—ethical lapses, job displacement, and security threats. According to AFP, he said, “If governance in this area fails to keep pace, there could be serious consequences.”
The forum, organized by the World Economic Forum, ran from June 23 to 25 in Dalian, a city that ranks among China’s top financial and logistics hubs. The 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions focused on the theme Innovating at Scale and attracted leaders from business, academia, and government.
Experts at the event highlighted AI’s potential to disrupt labour markets and national security. The technology could be deployed in conflict, breach cyber defences, or even facilitate the creation of new bioweapons. WEF managing director Mirek Dusek told AFP that while AI opens opportunities in education and healthcare, it also carries a risk of backlash.
The global economic backdrop remains uneven. The World Bank has lowered its 2026 growth forecast to its lowest level since the COVID‑19 pandemic, citing a “tepid environment.” Shipping disruptions caused by the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran have further strained supply chains, adding to the uncertainty.
Geopolitical tensions between China and the United States also feature prominently in the discussion. Harvard Kennedy School professor Graham Allison, who attended the Dalian forum, noted that a potential conflict between the two powers remains a possibility. He referenced the Thucydides trap, a theory that suggests rising powers are more likely to clash with established ones, and said that recent engagement between Chinese President Xi Jinping and former U.S. President Donald Trump offers a chance to avoid such a conflict.
Li Qiang, who became premier in 2023, described China’s economy as a “safe haven” amid global shocks, including energy shortages and supply‑chain disruptions. He added that Beijing has injected “a valuable dose of certainty into an increasingly uncertain world.”
The premier’s remarks arrive at a time when AI governance is a priority for many governments. While the WEF forum did not produce a formal policy proposal, it underscored the need for coordinated international action.
In sum, Li Qiang’s speech at Summer Davos highlighted the dual nature of AI—its capacity to drive economic growth and its potential to create significant risks. The WEF meeting in Dalian served as a platform for leaders to discuss these challenges against a backdrop of global economic slowdown and geopolitical uncertainty, leaving policymakers to decide how best to shape the regulatory landscape for AI.
Li pointed to the unprecedented pace at which AI is evolving and its capacity to boost innovation efficiency. Yet he cautioned that without timely oversight, the field could give rise to serious risks—ethical lapses, job displacement, and security threats. According to AFP, he said, “If governance in this area fails to keep pace, there could be serious consequences.”
The forum, organized by the World Economic Forum, ran from June 23 to 25 in Dalian, a city that ranks among China’s top financial and logistics hubs. The 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions focused on the theme Innovating at Scale and attracted leaders from business, academia, and government.
Experts at the event highlighted AI’s potential to disrupt labour markets and national security. The technology could be deployed in conflict, breach cyber defences, or even facilitate the creation of new bioweapons. WEF managing director Mirek Dusek told AFP that while AI opens opportunities in education and healthcare, it also carries a risk of backlash.
The global economic backdrop remains uneven. The World Bank has lowered its 2026 growth forecast to its lowest level since the COVID‑19 pandemic, citing a “tepid environment.” Shipping disruptions caused by the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran have further strained supply chains, adding to the uncertainty.
Geopolitical tensions between China and the United States also feature prominently in the discussion. Harvard Kennedy School professor Graham Allison, who attended the Dalian forum, noted that a potential conflict between the two powers remains a possibility. He referenced the Thucydides trap, a theory that suggests rising powers are more likely to clash with established ones, and said that recent engagement between Chinese President Xi Jinping and former U.S. President Donald Trump offers a chance to avoid such a conflict.
Li Qiang, who became premier in 2023, described China’s economy as a “safe haven” amid global shocks, including energy shortages and supply‑chain disruptions. He added that Beijing has injected “a valuable dose of certainty into an increasingly uncertain world.”
The premier’s remarks arrive at a time when AI governance is a priority for many governments. While the WEF forum did not produce a formal policy proposal, it underscored the need for coordinated international action.
In sum, Li Qiang’s speech at Summer Davos highlighted the dual nature of AI—its capacity to drive economic growth and its potential to create significant risks. The WEF meeting in Dalian served as a platform for leaders to discuss these challenges against a backdrop of global economic slowdown and geopolitical uncertainty, leaving policymakers to decide how best to shape the regulatory landscape for AI.
