Contrary to the view of it as a Wild West, China heavily regulates consumer AI. For instance, they restrict an AI's ability to impersonate a character for extended periods to prevent the kind of psychological dependence and psychosis seen in users of some Western chatbot apps.

The most influential voices in China's security apparatus, like the Minister for State Security, are not primarily concerned with humanity-level existential risks from AI. Their top priority is 'political security,' meaning the use of AI to maintain Communist Party control and ensure regime stability.

China has a pre-existing regulatory body (CAC) and approval processes for AI models. While focused on content, this infrastructure can be extended to include cybersecurity tests, allowing for a more structured response to powerful new models compared to the US's reactive approach.

Contrary to fears that U.S. regulation cedes ground to China, the CCP has strong self-interested reasons to regulate AI. It is highly concerned with internal stability and control, cracking down on AI-driven social disruption and the risk of domestic cyberattacks, independent of Western policy.

Contrary to fears that U.S. regulation creates a competitive disadvantage, China's track record, like crushing its AI companion sector over risk concerns, indicates Beijing will also implement strong AI safety rules. This creates potential for U.S.-China alignment on safety.

Unlike the Western debate focused on existential risk, China's primary AI concerns are geopolitical and domestic. Officials view US AI firms as potential tools for espionage and data theft, focusing regulation on societal control and data security. This fundamental difference in priorities is crucial for understanding international AI negotiations.

While the U.S. stalls on AI legislation, China is actively regulating it. This has led to significantly higher public trust and adoption in China (87% trust vs. 32% in the US), creating a more stable environment for AI development and deployment.

Unlike the US's voluntary approach, Chinese AI developers must register their models with the government before public release. This involved process requires safety testing against a national standard of 31 risks and giving regulators pre-deployment access for approval, creating a de facto licensing regime for consumer AI.

Chinese AI firms maintain close, ongoing communication with the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), including informal weekly meetings. This relationship ensures regulators are never caught by surprise, making it virtually impossible for a company to release a powerful new model without prior notice.