FUZHOU, April 29 -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Wednesday stressed self-reliance and open international cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI).

Advancing the building of Digital China and raising the level of digital and intelligent development is a strategic task bearing on the overall progress of Chinese modernization, according to Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. Ding made the remarks in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 9th Digital China Summit in Fuzhou, east China's Fujian Province.

Ding highlighted five aspects for China's AI development. He stressed the need for self-reliance and independent innovation, noting that China's AI sector must forge its own path to withstand any external pressure or attempts at suppression.

He also called for application-driven development, urging deeper integration of AI with the real economy and faster cultivation of new quality productive forces.

The vice premier further emphasized the importance of building a collaborative innovation ecosystem, with closer coordination across the AI industry chain.

On the global front, he advocated open and mutually beneficial cooperation, calling for sound implementation of the Global AI Governance Initiative and deeper international collaboration on computing power, data and talent.

He also stressed that AI development must remain safe and controllable, with strengthened regulation to ensure the technology always serves and remains under the control of humanity.