Ep.0 – AI Safety in China: What You Need to Know
A Q&A
Why This Series?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is advancing at an unprecedented pace. But is AI’s future one of opportunity, or risk?
Over the past year, global AI regulation has entered a new phase. The EU introduced the AI Act, the U.S. issued executive orders on AI, and OpenAI has been debating alignment strategies. However, in this global discussion about AI’s future, China’s role remains largely misunderstood—or even ignored.
In fact, while researching China’s AI regulations, I was surprised by what I found.
China is not just developing AI—it is setting the rules for it.
Regulation in China Isn’t Just About Security—It’s Also About X risk.
AI is no longer just a technological issue in China—it is now a national or even international security concern.
What This Series Will Cover
This series is structured in a Q&A format, systematically analyzing key issues in China's AI safety and regulation. Here’s a preview of some of the questions we’ll explore:
1. Which Chinese Leaders Are the Most Proactive on AI Safety?
In 2025, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang warned at the Davos Forum:
"AI should be an 'Ali Baba’s cave' of treasures, not a 'Pandora’s box' of risks."
What does this statement mean? Why does he matter?
And who else cares?
2. Who actually regulates AI in China?
Unlike the EU’s centralized AI Act, China operates with a multi-agency regulatory system.
Who really holds the power to shape AI rules?
3. Does China care about AI existential risk (X-risk)?
Historically, China’s AI regulations have focused on algorithmic content moderation, data security, and industrial risks, rather than catastrophic AI failures.
But in July 2024, AI was officially categorized as a national security issue, alongside biosecurity and nuclear risks.
Does this mean China is now taking X-risk seriously?
Why This Matters
So far, the global AI governance conversation has been dominated by Western perspectives—OpenAI, DeepMind, the EU AI Act, and U.S. executive orders. But China is a leading AI power, and its approach to AI regulation will shape global AI safety standards. By understanding China’s AI strategy, we gain a clearer picture of how AI will be governed worldwide.
Regardless of one’s stance on AI governance, open discussions and access to accurate information are essential for making better decisions. If you care about China’s AI policies, global AI competition, or the geopolitics of technology, subscribe to stay updated！
The world needs better conversations about AI safety and governance.
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