On 12 June 2024 President Xi Jinping delivered a video address to the opening ceremony of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, proposing a people-centred approach and AI for good, and strengthening AI rule governance within the UN framework. The address is aimed at the international governance agenda, but its framing is a direct reference point for understanding China’s external AI narrative.
The setting
UNCTAD focuses on trade and development. When AI appears in that setting, it connects to technology-capacity gaps, the right to development and the representativeness of global governance. Placing AI governance within the UN framework stresses multilateral consultation rather than rule-making led by a small group of states. This position differs from some regional legislative paths, and companies need to understand where the difference comes from rather than simply ranking one as stricter.
The weight of the UN framework
Discussing rules within the UN framework means a slower process, more participants and harder consensus, but also stronger legitimacy. For companies, it creates no new direct obligations in the short term; over time it may influence international standards and mutual recognition. Treating the signal as part of market-entry strategy is more reasonable than treating it as an immediate compliance requirement.
The link to capacity building
The address mentions capacity building, echoing similar language in the China–France joint statement and the Seoul summit documents. Capacity building is both a public-policy issue and a market opportunity: AI products and services for emerging markets are more likely to attract policy support when combined with local data, talent and governance capacity. Investment in this direction still needs to be assessed against local law and commercial viability.
The development-rights framing
The address places AI governance under trade and development, which differs from a pure safety-regulation narrative. For outbound companies, this framing helps identify markets more receptive to capacity building, technical cooperation and inclusive language. In Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America, a product proposal that responds to local digital-capacity gaps tends to communicate better. Commercial viability still needs separate assessment; policy friendliness is not market maturity. Turning the development narrative into concrete cooperation, such as local training, joint laboratories and open tools, is more valuable than statements of intent. Policy researchers and investors can read the language as a signal on the pace of market opening, but should not rely on it alone.
Aligning the outbound narrative
In external communication, aligning a product with “people-centred” and “AI for good” language is not a matter of labels. It requires actual arrangements for privacy protection, content governance, explainability and safety assessment. Policy language supplies a framework; credibility comes from verifiable systems and records. For regulators in different markets, the same governance material needs different emphases, but the underlying facts should remain consistent.
For multi-jurisdiction policy analysis, see our multi-jurisdiction service and GDPR cross-border service; for outbound data arrangements, see data compliance.
This article is based on the video address delivered by President Xi Jinping to the opening ceremony of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development on 12 June 2024, and on public information. It is for reference only and does not constitute legal advice.