Facing mounting pressure from Washington’s tightening export controls, President Xi Jinping has called on China to “overcome” the formidable hurdles blocking its path to AI dominance, state media reported Saturday. In a high-stakes Politburo meeting, Xi emphasized the urgent need to master core technologies like high-end chips and advanced software, while building a fully autonomous AI ecosystem. As the global tech race accelerates, Xi’s message was clear: China’s future leadership in artificial intelligence hinges not on foreign dependence, but on relentless innovation and national self-reliance.
The escalating U.S.-China trade war, fueled by sweeping tariffs and tech restrictions initiated under President Donald Trump, has further complicated Beijing’s ambitions. With American giants like Nvidia and AMD hamstrung by new licensing requirements, China’s tech sector faces an uphill battle. Yet Xi remains resolute, urging the rapid deployment of supportive policies—ranging from intellectual property protections to aggressive public procurement—to forge a domestic AI powerhouse. China’s breakout companies like DeepSeek have already shaken the global AI scene, but Xi’s sober admission that “gaps” still exist signals a new era of intense, state-driven technological mobilization.
While Washington justifies its restrictions as safeguarding military technologies, critics argue they are equally aimed at preserving America’s AI supremacy. Xi’s rallying cry for “self-reliance” highlights a critical inflection point: the AI arms race is no longer about mere competition—it is about national destiny. As AI reshapes industries and geopolitics alike, China is preparing for a marathon sprint, determined to transform obstacles into launching pads toward global tech leadership.
