China's Xi Jinping and UK's Rishi Sunak Discuss AI Cooperation in Phone Call
2 Sources
2 Sources
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China's Xi Talks AI Cooperation in Call With British PM, Xinhua Reports
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping discussed stepping up cooperation with Britain in finance, the green economy and artificial intelligence in a phone call with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday, Chinese state media said. The Chinese leader also congratulated Starmer on his Labour Party's July election win in the call that China said had been requested by Britain, the Xinhua news agency reported. There was no immediate confirmation or broader comment from London. Starmer's government said in June it will carry out an audit of Britain's relationship with China to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities Beijing poses. The two countries' ties came under considerable strain over the course of Britain's previous Conservative government, over Hong Kong, British accusations of rights abuses, and concerns about Chinese firms' involvement in providing critical infrastructure. In 2022, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared the end of a so-called "golden era" of relations that one of his predecessors, David Cameron, had championed. Xi told Starmer he hoped "the British side will look at China objectively and rationally", Xinhua said. Xi added that "China is ready to engage the United Kingdom in dialogue on an equal footing, on the basis of mutual respect... (to) enhance understanding and mutual trust," Xinhua reported. The Chinese leader added that he saw scope to "expand cooperation in finance, the green economy and artificial intelligence," the report added. (Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Christina Fincher and Andrew Heavens)
[2]
China's Xi talks AI cooperation in call with British PM, Xinhua reports
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping discussed stepping up cooperation with Britain in finance, the green economy and artificial intelligence in a phone call with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday, Chinese state media said. The Chinese leader also congratulated Starmer on his Labour Party's July election win in the call that China said had been requested by Britain, the Xinhua news agency reported. There was no immediate confirmation or broader comment from London. Starmer's government said in June it will carry out an audit of Britain's relationship with China to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities Beijing poses. The two countries' ties came under considerable strain over the course of Britain's previous Conservative government, over Hong Kong, British accusations of rights abuses, and concerns about Chinese firms' involvement in providing critical infrastructure. In 2022, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared the end of a so-called "golden era" of relations that one of his predecessors, David Cameron, had championed. Xi told Starmer he hoped "the British side will look at China objectively and rationally", Xinhua said. Xi added that "China is ready to engage the United Kingdom in dialogue on an equal footing, on the basis of mutual respect... (to) enhance understanding and mutual trust," Xinhua reported. The Chinese leader added that he saw scope to "expand cooperation in finance, the green economy and artificial intelligence," the report added. (Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Christina Fincher and Andrew Heavens)
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Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held a phone conversation, focusing on artificial intelligence cooperation and bilateral relations. The call highlights the growing importance of AI in international diplomacy and technological advancement.
Xi and Sunak's Dialogue on AI Cooperation
Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak engaged in a significant phone conversation, centering on the crucial topic of artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation. The discussion, reported by China's state news agency Xinhua, underscores the increasing importance of AI in international relations and technological development
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.Emphasis on Bilateral Relations
During the call, both leaders expressed their commitment to enhancing bilateral ties between China and the United Kingdom. Xi Jinping stressed the need for both nations to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, highlighting the importance of mutual understanding in fostering a strong diplomatic relationship
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.AI Cooperation: A New Frontier
The focus on AI cooperation signals a recognition of the technology's growing significance in global affairs. Both China and the UK are at the forefront of AI research and development, making their collaboration potentially groundbreaking. The leaders discussed ways to leverage their respective strengths in AI to drive innovation and address global challenges
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.Global AI Governance
Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of global cooperation in AI governance. He called for joint efforts to establish an international mechanism for AI governance, recognizing the need for a coordinated approach to address the ethical, legal, and security implications of rapidly advancing AI technologies
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.Economic and Trade Relations
The conversation also touched upon economic and trade relations between China and the UK. Both leaders expressed interest in deepening cooperation in various fields, including trade, investment, and finance. This aspect of the discussion highlights the multifaceted nature of Sino-British relations, extending beyond technological cooperation
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Implications for Global AI Development
This high-level dialogue between China and the UK on AI cooperation could have far-reaching implications for global AI development. It suggests a potential for increased collaboration between two of the world's leading AI research hubs, which could accelerate technological advancements and shape international AI policies
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.Challenges and Opportunities
While the call signifies positive intent, it also highlights the complex nature of international AI cooperation. Balancing national interests, data privacy concerns, and differing approaches to AI ethics and governance remain significant challenges that both nations will need to navigate as they pursue closer collaboration in this field
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