Chinese AI Alliances Expand Amid US Tech Restrictions

Chinese AI firms have formed two major industry alliances to boost domestic AI capabilities and counter U.S. export restrictions, which limit access to Nvidia chips and other advanced technology. The Model-Chip Ecosystem Innovation Alliance includes companies like Huawei, Biren, Moore Threads, Enflame, and StepFun, aiming to integrate the tech stack from chips to large language models and promote industry standards. Another group, the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce AI Committee, involves firms such as SenseTime and MiniMax to deepen AI's role in Chinese manufacturing. In response to sanctions, Chinese firms are accelerating innovation, with Huawei unveiling an AI computing system said to rival Nvidia's latest products. Tencent and Baidu also introduced new AI solutions at the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. These collaborations underscore China's push for technological self-sufficiency in the global AI race.