A Chinese think tank, the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) – linked to the Ministry of State Security – is advocating that Beijing and Washington prioritize establishing a shared understanding of artificial intelligence risks. The CICIR suggests this should precede attempts to resolve the wider technological competition between the two nations. This recommendation follows a recent agreement between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump to initiate a formal AI dialogue during their summit in Washington. The think tank believes a common vocabulary is crucial for managing potential threats posed by AI. This advice signals a potential shift towards a more pragmatic approach to the complex US-China technology relationship. The move could lay the groundwork for more productive conversations following the summit in Washington and the established dialogue mechanism. Ultimately, the CICIR argues that mutual understanding of risks is the foundation for cooperation.