WAICO

United States

2026-08-16 07:08:03

US Draft Letter Would Push 35 Countries to Choose Between Pax Silica and China’s WAICO

A draft internal letter obtained by Reuters shows the US State Department is preparing to tell 35 countries that they cannot stay in both Washington’s and Beijing’s AI camps at the same time. Under the draft, any country that joins China-backed WAICO would be excluded from cooperation under Pax Silica, a US-led framework focused on semiconductors, AI models, and critical minerals. The letter is expected to go to the 35 signatories of the June “AI Opportunity Statement,” a group that includes countries such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, the UK, Germany, India, Singapore, Israel, the UAE, Qatar, and Kazakhstan. Reuters said it could not confirm when the letter would be sent or whether the text would change before release. The State Department declined to comment on what it called a leaked internal document. Reuters identified Kazakhstan as the immediate trigger for the move. The country, which holds large reserves of critical minerals, joined Pax Silica in June but also entered Beijing’s orbit, making it the only known country currently tied to both sides. The report also contrasted the pace of the two blocs: WAICO, launched in mid-July and headquartered in Shanghai, signed up 29 countries within a month, while Pax Silica has taken more than half a year to attract about 25 signatories.

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U.S. State De

2026-08-15 03:15:46

Reuters: U.S. draft letter tells 35 countries to choose between Pax Silica and China-backed AI framework

A U.S. State Department draft letter reviewed by Reuters shows Washington is preparing to press 35 signatories to the AI Opportunity Statement to choose sides in the emerging split between U.S.-backed and China-backed AI cooperation frameworks. The draft warns that countries joining a competing framework led by Beijing could be excluded from the U.S. system, framing membership in Pax Silica as a commitment rather than a symbolic endorsement. The letter says, in effect, that countries cannot participate in every initiative and still be treated as reliable partners in a single technology ecosystem. Reuters reported that the draft has not yet been sent, carries no date, and may still be revised. The State Department declined to comment on what it called leaked internal material, while the Chinese and Kazakh embassies in Washington did not immediately respond. The framework at issue on the Chinese side is the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, or WAICO, launched in Shanghai on July 16 with 29 founding members. On the U.S. side, Pax Silica was launched in December 2025 by Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jacob Helberg and now has 24 signatories. Reuters said the only country appearing on both lists is Kazakhstan, a country Washington had recently highlighted for its critical mineral reserves.

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Xi Jinping

2026-07-17 09:00:59

Xi backs AI ties at Shanghai WAIC as 29 countries sign WAICO agreement

Chinese President Xi Jinping used the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai to pitch broader international AI cooperation, especially with developing countries. According to CNBC, Xi said China will offer 5,000 AI training slots to developing nations and plans to work with regional groups including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Arab League and the African Union. During the event, 29 countries signed an agreement to establish the World AI Cooperation Organization, or WAICO, with its headquarters in Shanghai. The list of signatories included Kazakhstan, Laos, Pakistan, Russia and Indonesia, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres and other representatives from international organizations attended the ceremony. Xi also called for opposition to what he described as the overextension of national security concepts in AI and to putting one country’s security above others. The remarks came as the US continues to restrict China’s access to advanced chips and chipmaking equipment. The report also noted Nvidia’s disclosure that its China market share has fallen sharply, while Huawei showcased its Atlas 950 SuperPoD system at the conference.

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