As Trump dismisses AI fears, China calls them ‘fearmongering’ — Then Beijing's spy chief sounds alarm

China has dismissed US warnings about the dangers of artificial intelligence as “fearmongering”. Yet, almost at the same time, Beijing's top intelligence official has issued one of the clearest warnings from the Chinese government about AI's potential to undermine political stability and even threaten the Communist Party's hold on power.

Chen Yixin, head of China's Ministry of State Security, called for tighter government oversight of AI, warning that rapidly advancing technology could be exploited for disinformation, cyberattacks, espionage and military competition. His assessment puts political security at the centre of Beijing's AI concerns, rather than focusing solely on the broader question of whether advanced AI could eventually escape human control.

The timing is notable. The warnings come as US and Chinese officials prepare for discussions on AI safety ahead of a planned September 24 meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington.

Why China is worried about AI threatening Party rule

In an article published in the state-run magazine China Cyberspace, Chen argued that AI could be used by foreign actors to manipulate information and destabilise Chinese society.

One concern is the use of deepfake videos, synthetic audio and AI-generated material to create convincing but false claims involving senior officials. Such content could spread rapidly online, potentially creating confusion and undermining public confidence.

Chen's warning reflects a broader concern within Beijing that AI could lower the cost of producing and distributing political misinformation on a large scale. Chinese authorities have increasingly treated control over information and technology as matters of national security.

AI cyberattacks and espionage are another concern

Chen also warned that advances in AI could make sophisticated cyberattacks easier and cheaper to carry out.

China also sees AI as a military battleground

Beijing's concerns extend to the battlefield.

Sayantani Biswas