As reported by state news agency Xinhua, Xi made the remark at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as part of his Latin American diplomatic tour.
Xi proposed a new initiative to improve the Global South’s access to scientific and technological innovations.
“We need to improve global trade governance and build a world economy characterized by openness,” Xi said at a session on global governance reform.
The Chinese leader specifically addressed recent tariffs imposed by G20 members on Chinese electric vehicles and biodiesel, warning against what he termed protectionism under the guise of environmental policy.
These statements follow Xi’s similar remarks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima, Peru last week. The messaging indicates China’s push for greater influence in global technology development and trade policy, particularly regarding emerging markets and AI governance.
As China advocates for broader AI accessibility and pushes back against tech protectionism, entrepreneurs should anticipate a more complex international landscape for AI deployment and commercialization — one where success may require navigating both Western and Chinese spheres of influence, understanding varying regulatory frameworks across markets, and potentially exploring partnerships in developing nations that could become significant technology adopters.
The emphasis on preventing AI from becoming a “game of rich countries” suggests opportunities for entrepreneurs who can develop accessible, market-appropriate AI solutions for emerging economies, while Xi’s critique of green protectionism highlights the need to balance technological innovation with local market protections when scaling globally.
