On August 5th, the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Lagos, jointly with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Institute of African Studies, Zhejiang Normal University, successfully held the Third Lagos Forum 2026,theme on "A PEOPLE-CENTRED APPROACH TO AI GOVERNANCE: China-Nigeria Cooperation for Bridging the AI Divide". Consul General Yan Yuqing attended and made a keynote speech. Nearly 150 representatives from local media,think tanks,universities,chambers of commerce, Chinese enterprises and other sectors attended the event. The full text is as follows:

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning!

A warm welcome to all of you to the Lagos Forum, jointly organized by the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Zhejiang Normal University. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all friends who have contributed to the success of this event. Over the past three years, we have held a series of forums covering diverse themes and featuring insightful perspectives, which have steadily grown into a vital platform for in-depth exchanges between China and Nigeria.

The theme of today’s forum is A People-Centred Approach To AI Goverance: China–Nigeria Cooperation for Bridging the AI Divide. 

First, let me share with you the latest set of figures. According to the latest research report released by the ADP Global Institute on July 14, 2026, Nigeria has seen rapid deployment of AI tools and digital infrastructure driven by Chinese technology investment, and ranks second in the world in terms of AI usage frequency This stands as a vivid testament to mutually beneficial cooperation, and an encouraging start to advancing together in the intelligent era.

As we all know, From July 17 to 20, the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance was held in Shanghai, China. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote address. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, together with official representatives from over 100 countries and international organizations, as well as guests from academia, research and industry, attended the conference. Under the theme "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future", the participants explored pathways to promote global AI development for good and for all.

A new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is currently advancing in depth. AI is accelerating its shift from the digital world to the physical world, fully integrating into production and daily life, and becoming a key engine driving global development. At the same time, the negative impacts of rapid technological iteration, such as ethical risks and challenges in data security and regulatory adaptation, are also becoming increasingly prominent.

What is especially worth noting is that some countries are still using socalled “national security” as an excuse to ban the import of Chinese technology products, including humanoid robots. There is no real evidence for this. In fact, it is just stretching the idea of national security too far, and putting up barriers to technology and trade. China firmly opposes such unfair moves. Protectionism does not make a country more competitive and will only hurt the interests of its own companies and consumers. We always believe that technology should be used for the good of everyone, not as a way to keep others out.

Distinguished guests,

In the face of the questions of our time: How to get along with thinking machines? How to ensure security when algorithm is part of decision making? How to tackle ethical challenges by technologies through adaptive governance? How to realize AI for all when the divide keeps widening? Faced with these defining questions of our time, China’s propositions, plans and actions are clear and resolute.

To promote inclusive and responsible development of artificial intelligence, we must first get the direction right and set clear principles. President Xi Jinping put forward four observations:

First, adhering to the principle of openness and win-win and boost innovation-driven development. We should seize this rare historic opportunity together and strengthen AI as a new engine of global economic growth.

Second, enhancing risk awareness to ensure AI is secure and controllable. We should make sure AI always remains a trusted tool for humanity.

Third, encouraging inclusiveness and promoting mutual learning between civilizations. We should ensure that AI development contributes to the progress of human civilization.

Fourth, advocating solidarity and improving global governance. We should avoid creating new historical injustice in the field of AI.

From the four dimensions of development, security, civilization and governance, we share the same overarching goal: to make AI an important driving force for shared prosperity and common security, and to jointly build a just and equitable system for global AI governance.

To advance inclusive and beneficial AI development, the key is to stay grounded in reality and deliver practical solutions. This year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. China has always embraced AI development with an open posture, which also provides immense new opportunities for the international community. President Xi Jinping has made it clear that we should “encourage open source, openness, collaboration and sharing, facilitate technological innovation, industrial development and scenario-based application of AI, make coordinated advances in the transformation and upgrade of traditional industries, the cultivation and growth of emerging industries and forward-looking planning for future industries”

China is always committed to providing international public goods relating to AI. Since President Xi Jinping proposed the Global AI Governance Initiative in 2023, China has promoted the adoption of the U.N. General Assembly Resolution on Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity Building of Artificial Intelligence by consensus, published the AI Capacity Building Action Plan for Good and for All, announced the AI Plus International Cooperation Initiative, and advocated for establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO). China has been contributing steadily to the global AI governance.

To ensure steady and sound progress in AI governance, openness and sharing is the only way forward. So far, the cumulative global downloads of China’s open-source large models have exceeded 10 billion. The next-generation Kimi K3 has become the world’s largest open-source model by parameter scale. China’s large models have spawned more than 170,000 derivative applications, as the open innovation ecosystem continues to grow stronger.

To drive inclusive and beneficial AI development, we must ultimately act with responsibility and move forward together. We often say in China, “A single string cannot make music, and a single tree does not make a forest.” AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation. The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) has been officially established in Shanghai. This is a major move by China to answer the call of Global South countries and unite the international community in vigorously promoting AI development and governance. It will be an important milestone in the history of AI development.

This recognition of cooperation and mutual benefit is also reflected in global public opinion. According to the latest survey by the Pew Research Center of the United States, in its nearly 20 years of tracking global public opinion, positive views of China have for the first time surpassed positive views of the United States overall. Public assessments of the US in many countries have fallen to or near their lowest levels on record. In Nigeria specifically, 78% of respondents hold a favorable view of China, and 76% see China as a reliable partner. This clearly shows that mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and open cooperation are what people want and the way the world is moving.

We are pleased to see that countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt have emerged as key engines for AI development in Africa, leveraging their strengths in favorable policies, digital infrastructure and technical talent. As more than 20 African countries roll out their national AI strategies, and compact language models are increasingly deployed in agriculture, healthcare, education and other sectors, Africa’s share of the global AI market is set to keep expanding.

In the future, China will further support global AI development to ensure that benefits of smart technology reach more countries and people.

First is capacity building. In the next five years, China will provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities in AI training and seminar programs.

Second is building cooperation platforms. China will develop international AI application cooperation centers with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and BRICS, and share our experience.

Third is sharing improvements in people’s well-being. China will enable 30 countries to use the AI-powered meteorological warning system, or MAZU, to safeguard homes around the world.

Dear friends, the wave of AI surges forward. Only by joining hands can we move steadily and far. China is ready to work with Nigeria and all other parties: we will stay open and inclusive, and reject isolation and exclusion; we will pursue shared progress for all, and oppose monopoly and dominance — so that smart technology truly benefits every person in the world!

I wish this Lagos Forum every success! Thank you all!