China’s top intelligence official has issued a stark warning about the risks posed by artificial intelligence to the country’s political stability and security, calling for increased government oversight and tighter control over the technology. Chen Yixin, head of China’s Ministry of State Security, made the remarks in a detailed article published Sunday in the state-backed magazine China Cyberspace, marking the most comprehensive expression of Beijing’s concerns about AI to date.

Chen emphasized that AI technologies present significant dangers to the Chinese Communist Party’s grip on power, framing the issue primarily through the lens of national security rather than broader existential threats that dominate AI debates elsewhere, such as in the United States. He cited the vulnerability of China’s information infrastructure to more sophisticated cyberattacks and misinformation campaigns, which he attributed to foreign “hostile forces” leveraging AI capabilities.

Among the threats identified by Chen were specific AI models developed by U.S. technology firms, including Claude Mythos and GPT-5.5-Cyber, which he characterized as tools that could be exploited for large-scale espionage and attacks on critical infrastructure. He underlined concerns about data sovereignty, warning that Chinese users interacting with foreign AI platforms risk exposing sensitive information. Recent reports highlighted incidents involving Chinese startup Moonshot A.I. routing queries containing sensitive military and corporate data through Claude, raising alarms within Chinese security circles.

The warnings come ahead of anticipated discussions between American and Chinese officials on AI safety, scheduled prior to a high-profile meeting in Washington between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Analysts interpret Chen’s comments as signaling Beijing’s adversarial posture toward AI governance negotiations, with a focus on protecting China’s political and data security interests rather than pursuing joint global safety initiatives.

Experts noted that Chen’s assessment reflects a broader push within China’s security apparatus to reaffirm stricter control over emerging technologies amid concerns that AI has lowered traditional barriers to cyber warfare and espionage. A recent demonstration by researchers in California, which revealed a hacking tool capable of compromising millions of WeChat accounts, underscored these vulnerabilities.

Chen’s remarks also acknowledged the potential military implications of AI, highlighting the increasing role of technologies like drones and automation in modern conflicts. His call for a return to what he described as tougher, more disciplined security standards aligns with ongoing efforts by China’s leadership to reinforce its strategic posture in a competitive global environment.

This heightened focus on AI’s risks marks a shift toward more explicit and public acknowledgment of the challenges posed by emerging technologies to China’s regime and national security framework. It underscores the complex intersection of technological advancement and geopolitical rivalry that continues to shape China’s approach to AI governance.