China Proposes Global Framework for AI Agent Interoperability and Trust

At the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) introduced the 'Global Cooperation Initiative on AI Agent Mutual Trust, Interconnection, and Interoperability.' The proposal calls for international standards to ensure autonomous systems can communicate across platforms while maintaining security and ethical boundaries. It emphasizes inclusive development, particularly for the Global South, and advocates for a non-discriminatory framework for cross-border data flows that respects national regulatory differences.

As AI agents become central to the digital economy, the lack of interoperability standards risks creating siloed ecosystems. This initiative represents a major push by China to lead the conversation on how these autonomous systems should identify, communicate, and collaborate across borders and platforms, potentially shaping the future of global digital trade and governance.

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has introduced a comprehensive proposal to standardize the interaction and governance of artificial intelligence agents on a global scale. Unveiled on July 17, 2026, at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and the High-level Meeting on AI Global Governance, the "Global Cooperation Initiative on AI Agent Mutual Trust, Interconnection, and Interoperability" seeks to establish a unified ecosystem for autonomous systems. The initiative identifies AI agents as a transformative technology for the digital economy but warns that a lack of coordination could lead to an "intelligence gap" between nations. To mitigate this, the CAC advocates for increased research into foundational technologies such as agent identity identification and mutual recognition of collaboration protocols. The proposal envisions a transition from "controlled interaction" to "autonomous coordination," requiring high-efficiency, low-latency cross-platform capabilities. A central pillar of the proposal is the establishment of international standards. The CAC calls for the development of open, non-discriminatory, and transparent protocols for interfaces, interconnection, and semantic layers. This standardization is intended to prevent technical barriers and ecological fragmentation, allowing diverse agents to integrate into a global network. Regarding security and data, the initiative proposes a lifecycle governance framework that embeds ethical considerations into R&D and deployment. It specifically addresses the impact of AI agents on network security and calls for responsible usage that respects human dignity. Notably, the proposal advocates for a cross-border data collaboration framework that respects the differences in national data security and personal information protection laws while facilitating "orderly" data flow. The initiative also places significant emphasis on inclusivity and global equity. It encourages "South-South" and "North-South" cooperation, urging developed nations to provide infrastructure, open-source tools, and technical training to developing countries. Furthermore, it calls for a "multicultural" approach to AI governance that respects diverse national values and avoids the unilateral imposition of rules. The CAC also highlighted the need to improve digital literacy among vulnerable groups, including the elderly and persons with disabilities, to ensure the benefits of AI agents are widely shared. The CAC invited all parties who share this vision to collaborate on building a "community with a shared future in cyberspace" through pragmatic action and inclusive dialogue.