Chinese President Xi Jinping used a high-profile visit to Shanghai on Tuesday, April 29, to signal China’s intensifying focus on artificial intelligence and its strategic alignment with the Global South, amid ongoing tensions with the United States.
Although Xi made no direct mention of the ongoing trade disputes with the US — initially triggered under the administration of former President Donald Trump — his message resonated clearly: China is capable of achieving technological self-sufficiency and forging strong ties beyond Western markets.
A Strategic Signal
“It’s a show of strength,” commented Alfred Wu, a China specialist at the National University of Singapore, interpreting the visit as a calculated display of China’s resilience and ambition.
The visit marked Xi’s first to the country's financial capital since November 2023 and came as China continues to position itself as a leader in AI innovation, riding on the global attention garnered by local startup DeepSeek.
AI at the Heart of Shanghai’s Future
During his trip, Xi called on Shanghai to accelerate its transformation into a globally influential technological and innovation hub. According to state media outlet Xinhua, he specifically encouraged greater exploration of AI models and the introduction of supportive policies to foster growth in the sector.
The Chinese leader also visited an AI incubation facility, where he interacted with startup developers and tested a pair of smart glasses — a symbolic gesture meant to highlight the practical applications of China’s AI progress.
Global South and Emerging Alliances
Xi’s visit also doubled as a subtle assertion of China’s leadership in the Global South, reinforcing its pivot toward emerging economies at a time when Western relations remain fraught. The message: while geopolitical tensions simmer, China is pushing forward — not just with policy rhetoric, but with real technological investment and infrastructure.