China said on Wednesday that it firmly opposed picking sides or forming blocs over artificial intelligence, urging cooperation, respect for digital sovereignty and a fair global AI governance system.

Photo: CCTV

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a routine press briefing in Beijing when asked to comment on the report that the US government plans to send a letter to the signatories of the Joint Statement on AI Opportunity Partnership, notifying the countries that they can't hold membership in duplicative initiatives at the same time.

"Artificial intelligence represents the intellectual achievement and valuable asset of all humanity," Lin said. "The international community generally expects extensive cooperation on AI, and every country has the right to choose its partners based on its national conditions and development needs."

China opposed taking sides and stoking "bloc-style confrontation" over AI, he said.

"We hope all sides will abandon zero-sum mentality, work together in solidarity, respect every country's digital sovereignty, and jointly build a fair and reasonable global AI governance system," the ministry spokesperson said. "Artificial intelligence should serve as an important driving force for common prosperity and shared security."