China-U.S. competition in the realm of artificial intelligence boils down to development ability. The advantages of the United States are no longer secure. What matters is who will lead sustainably in the future.

China’s new export licensing system strengthens its control over key rare earth elements, deepening supply chain risks. Although new processing facilities are emerging abroad, they won’t soon offset China’s dominance, prolonging global uncertainty.

Yes, they can. As the world’s two major powers in AI technology, the U.S. and China must work together to build capacity, contribute to AI for developing countries, bridge the digital divide and help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The debate over DeepSeek puts on clear display how political nationalism risks stifling technological progress. While some push for strict AI decoupling, experts warn that restricting collaboration could undermine innovation. We must find a way to balance national security with the open exchange of ideas that drives scientific advancement.

China’s recent successes in tech and entertainment have proven to the world that its creativity and innovation can keep pace with the Western-dominated zeitgeist. How might this translate into China’s relations with states across the globe?

Three major conferences held in Europe — the Davos Forum, the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit and the Munich Security Conference — underscored the defining feature of the current international landscape: It’s a complex and evolving mix of cooperation and competition.

The rapidly growing AI industry was rocked last month with the launch of DeepSeek, an open-source, Chinese-developed competitor to OpenAI’s products. The introduction of a valid competitor to American dominance in AI will lead to many questions in 2025 on how the U.S. will respond.

Simon Lacey, Head of Digital Trade and Geopolitics at the World Economic Forum, in a recent interview with Marc Smrikarov of China-US Focus, discusses areas where U.S. and Chinese interests align, such as global financial stability and freedom of navigation. Additionally, he emphasizes the need for patience and understanding on both sides, and to recognize the importance of cooperation in a shifting multipolar world. He also highlights the fragmentation of AI development between the U.S. and China, warning that the lack of cross-collaboration could hinder innovation, and urges a more rational approach to labeling AI and semiconductors as dual-use technologies in national security contexts.

The Paris AI Action Summit was held on February 10 and 11. AI experts, policymakers and industry leaders from various countries gathered to engage in in-depth discussions about opportunities and challenges in AI development and governance. Chinese scholars led by former Chinese vice-foreign minister Fu Ying attended the Paris AI Summit. Below are the main points in Fu Ying’s Remarks on AI Safety and Governance at the Paris AI Summit.

The rapid rise of DeepSeek sends a clear message to the world: Tech suppression may bring short-term gains, but the resulting frictions will be counterproductive. DeepSeek’s innovations offer a fresh perspective on the future of U.S.-China economic relations by demonstrating that China can stand on its own.