U.S. and other nations back open-source AI under “strong security” language in APEC statement at China summit

The United States and other participating economies backed language in an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) statement supporting open-source cooperation on artificial intelligence, with the framework tied to “strong security,” according to remarks by China’s industry and information technology minister at a summit in China.

In comments reported July 24 by CNBC, Li Lecheng said the APEC statement was the first to include open-source cooperation at a minister level. Li described the approval as a policy outcome reached among APEC members, connecting open-source AI collaboration with safeguards intended to address security concerns.

The statement’s inclusion marks a notable shift in how AI cooperation is being discussed in multilateral settings, according to the reporting, because it places open-source practices directly within the same official track as security expectations rather than treating them as a purely technical issue.

The minister’s account emphasizes the diplomatic and regulatory framing of the issue, indicating that APEC members are seeking shared language that can guide how countries treat open-source AI development and distribution. That approach contrasts with purely national or company-level frameworks, which can vary widely and complicate cross-border cooperation.

Li’s comments also suggest that China’s role in convening the discussion is centered on bringing AI governance language into APEC’s political process at a senior level. The reporting describes him as presenting the statement as a coordinated outcome among economies, rather than a unilateral policy change.

The practical effect of such language can extend to how governments and institutions interpret the scope of permissible sharing around AI models and tools, especially where national security review processes and risk controls apply. While the CNBC report characterizes the statement as a backing of “open-source” cooperation, the added “strong security” framing points to an intent to constrain implementation through security requirements rather than remove them.

APEC, which brings together economies across the Asia-Pacific region, serves as a venue for aligning member positions on trade and policy coordination. In this case, the reported minister-level language indicates AI is increasingly being addressed as a cross-border economic and regulatory subject, not just a technology development topic.

Further details of how the statement will be translated into national rules, timelines for implementation, or specific security standards were not included in the report. The next step for governments will be determining how, and whether, their domestic policies for AI development, disclosure, and security review align with the APEC language.