China Urges US Not to Defame or Threaten AI Companies

Kathmandu. China on Monday urged the United States not to defame and threaten Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) companies with sanctions.

The spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce made this remark in response to reports that some senior US officials have publicly called for investigation into the alleged 'use' of advanced US models by Chinese AI companies and could impose sanctions on them based on alleged 'theft of American intellectual property'.

China has always opposed the US practice of politicizing and instrumentalizing science-technology, economic and trade issues, and has been defaming and sanctioning Chinese companies on all sorts of baseless pretexts.

"The US has ignored these facts because the AI models developed by the relevant Chinese companies have public dates very close to the US models, and some Chinese models have already achieved leading levels of capability," the spokesperson said. He added that innovation is not the exclusive right of any one party.

He said, "Chinese AI companies have long been engaged in basic research. They have attached equal importance to scientific and technological self-reliance and strength and openness and cooperation, maintained the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and promoted the rapid development of AI technology. They have made increasing progress, including 'front-end coding' capabilities."

He also claimed that many US AI companies have used Chinese models during research, development, and training.

He said, "The United States will earnestly implement the consensus of the two heads of state, strengthen dialogue and communication on AI, jointly promote AI for the good of the world, and improve AI governance for the benefit of the two leading economies and the rest of the world."