President Xi Jinping advocated for global cooperation and a human-centered approach to artificial intelligence at the Shanghai World Artificial Intelligence Conference. This call for collaboration occurs as China rapidly attempts to catch up in the global AI race. The country is pursuing an economic strategy centered on developing and deploying cheaper AI models. This approach signals a shift in focus towards affordability and accessibility in its AI development. While promoting international partnership, China is actively working to strengthen its domestic AI capabilities. The speech underscored the importance of AI while highlighting Beijing's commitment to bridging the technological divide. This strategy suggests China aims to become a significant player in the AI landscape through cost-effective innovation.