China ratifies the agreement that sets up the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization

6 November 2026

Lawmakers in Beijing voted on Friday to ratify the accord that creates the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization. The body will be headquartered in Shanghai, where representatives from 29 countries signed the founding agreement on July 16. The vote came as the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress ended its 25th session. At the same meeting lawmakers passed a law against cross-border corruption and a law on procuratorial public-interest litigation. They also passed a revised Water Law and a decision amending 15 laws, including the Emergency Response Law. President Xi Jinping put his name to five orders bringing the laws and the decision into effect. Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee, presided over the closing meeting.