A display at the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing recently showcased artificial intelligence, highlighting its growing importance. On June 22, 2026, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded sharply to criticisms from Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, who called for the U.S. to limit China’s AI capabilities. This comes ahead of a potential meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping set for September 24, where AI governance will be on the agenda.
In a detailed essay, Amodei expressed concern over China’s progress in AI, warning that Chinese dominance in this field could be hazardous for global security. He recommended maintaining restrictions on the sale of advanced AI technology to China. China’s Foreign Ministry, through spokesperson Guo Jiakun, argued for collaborative efforts in AI, cautioning that fear and competition could disrupt global AI governance.
President Trump downplayed suggestions for his administration to intervene in AI development, asserting that the U.S. is ahead of China. He remarked that leadership in AI is crucial, stating, “whoever wins AI, wins.” Amodei warned of an impending internet takeover by AI agents unless global researchers slow down AI advancement, stressing the need for cooperation with China due to its advanced AI capabilities.
AI Governance and Competition
Both Trump and Xi are anticipated to discuss AI governance in their upcoming summit. Chinese firms have developed strong AI models that are often more affordable than those from U.S.-based companies, although similarly capable. Xi has previously suggested the formation of a global AI governance framework, championing China’s role in creating an open-source AI community. The Ministry of State Security in China has advocated for a system to manage AI security risks swiftly.
The state-run Global Times criticized Amodei’s essay, describing it as an attempt to ‘contain’ China, likening its propositions to a ‘Cold War playbook’ targeting AI. This came shortly after U.S. agencies warned about Chinese AI developers attempting to extract capabilities from advanced American AI models. China’s Commerce Ministry refuted these accusations, claiming they were unfounded and accusing the U.S. of trying to monopolize the AI industry.
“Both countries aim to avoid becoming subject to each other’s technological dominance,” commented Lizzi C. Lee, from the Asia Society Policy Institute. “Beijing questions how it can cooperate on safety when access to advanced technology is restricted,” she added.
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