Chinese leader Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of advancing AI in his first formal meeting of 2026 with ministers, as China continues to push for global dominance through its domestic champions, SCMP reports. Speaking on January 20 at a Central Party School session, the Chinese president described AI as an “epoch-making technological transformation,” comparable to quantum computing and biotechnology as today’s most prominent “frontier technologies.” He also drew comparisons to the changes brought about during the industrial revolution and the early Internet eras, calling specifically for faster progress in indigenous development. These remarks come as China is preparing for the 15th Five-Year Plan, which begins this year and runs until 2030, and is expected to formalize China’s approach to growth through what Xi calls “new productive forces.”

Full report : Xi Jinping calls AI ‘epoch-making’ as China’s focus tightens on domestic tech — likens change to Industrial Revolution or the dawn of the internet.