---
title: "China dismisses AI slowdown call as 'Cold War tactic'"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/tech/china-dismisses-ai-slowdown-call-as-cold-war-tactic"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/china-dismisses-ai-slowdown-call-as-cold-war-tactic"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/tech/china-dismisses-ai-slowdown-call-as-cold-war-tactic.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/china-dismisses-ai-slowdown-call-as-cold-war-tactic"
category: "Science & Tech"
area: "China"
published: "2026-09-14T09:45:55.981Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-14T08:51:10.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-14T09:45:55.981Z"
trust_score: 72
critic_score: 87
hype_score: 30
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-14T09:30:08.504440+00:00"
---

# China dismisses AI slowdown call as 'Cold War tactic'

*State media criticises US tech executive's proposal to curb AI development.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 72 of 100, higher is better. Trust 72: multiple named sources, official Global Times editorial, and independent outlets corroborate key facts.
- Craft 87 of 100, higher is better. Critic 87: explains significance, includes quotes, separates fact from comment, notes upcoming summit.
- Hype 30 of 100, lower is better. Hype 30: language reflects source framing but remains proportionate.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published an essay on Saturday calling for a slowdown in AI development and urging the US not to sell powerful AI chips to China.
- China's state-run Global Times described Amodei's essay as a 'Cold War playbook' aimed at curbing China's AI progress.
- The essay was endorsed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.
- The US and China are scheduled to discuss frontier AI safety at a summit on September 24.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published an essay on Saturday advocating for a pause in the development of advanced artificial intelligence. He also called on the United States to restrict the sale of powerful AI chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China, and to prevent smuggling and remote access to data centres outside the country. The essay was later endorsed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.

In response, China's state-run Global Times published an editorial characterising Amodei's essay as a 'Cold War playbook' designed to impede China's advancement in AI. The newspaper cited Chinese researchers who argued that Amodei's proposal sought both cooperation and containment, and that it was inappropriate, groundless, and hostile. A separate commentary in the Global Times referred to the plan as a 'quiet AI Cold War'.

## Disagreement on the essay's intent

The Global Times, as reported by The Next Web, stated that Amodei's essay proposed three steps: third-party evaluators with employee-like access, common safety standards among frontier labs in democracies, and an eventual attempt to coordinate pacing with authoritarian governments. The newspaper noted that the export control request was the part Beijing focused on. Asia One reported that the Global Times stated the true agenda of Amodei's essay was 'to attempt to curb China's AI development through technological barriers and regulatory monopolies, uphold Washington's monopolistic hegemony in cutting-edge technology, and exclude China from the global AI governance system'.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports printed below mention the specific date of September 24 for the US-China AI safety summit. The left-rated report from TNW mentioned that the two governments had been circling this issue for weeks and that the US and China were slated to discuss frontier AI safety at a summit, but did not provide the date. The centre-rated reports from Asia One and Reuters mentioned that the US and China are planning to discuss frontier AI safety risks in mid-September, with Asia One adding it could be raised during a summit on September 24. The right-rated reports did not mention the summit date.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 22 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 5% (1)
- Centre: 36% (8)
- Right: 59% (13)

15 of 37 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-14T09:30:08.504440+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-14T10:00:35.605Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The single left-rated report, from TNW, led on Beijing's reaction to Amodei's essay, quoting the Global Times calling it a 'Cold War script'. It detailed Amodei's proposals, including asking Washington not to sell powerful AI chips to China. The report also included commentary from Chinese researchers Xiang Ligang, Xiao Qian, and Liu Shaoshan, who criticised Amodei's stance. It noted that Beijing had spent months contesting export controls as government policy and that this time the script was aimed at a private company's chief executive.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports from Asia One, Bloomberg, Hola News, Portfolio, Live Mint, and Reuters focused on China's state newspaper, the Global Times, blasting Anthropic's calls to slow AI as a 'Cold War' tactic. These reports highlighted Amodei's essay and its endorsement by Sam Altman and Elon Musk. They also included the Global Times' assertion that the essay's true agenda was to curb China's AI development and uphold US technological hegemony. Some reports, like Bloomberg's, mentioned China criticising 'fearmongering' about AI risks. Asia One and Reuters quoted the Global Times describing the plan as a 'silent AI Cold War' that was 'hypocritical and short-sighted'.

### Right

- Right-rated reports from Yonhap News Agency, The News, NDTV, India Today, Latestly, Regional Media News, The Straits Times, Times of India, and U-S-NEWS.COM predominantly featured China's state media, particularly the Global Times, criticising Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's AI slowdown proposal. Headlines and content frequently used phrases such as 'Cold War playbook', 'Cold War strategy', and 'hostile and groundless' to describe Amodei's essay. The reports noted the essay's endorsement by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and SpaceX founder Elon Musk. The U-S-NEWS.COM report highlighted Amodei's call for US-China 'arms control' talks on AI development, drawing a comparison to Cold War-era negotiations.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- low: 2
- mixed: 8
- high: 7
- unknown: 16
- veryHigh: 4

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [OfficeChai](https://officechai.com/ai/chinas-global-times-says-uss-ai-concerns-are-a-ploy-to-slow-chinas-ai-progress) — China's Global Times Says US's AI Concerns Are A Ploy To Slow China's AI Progress
- [Bloomberg](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-14/china-rejects-ai-fearmongering-after-amodei-urges-slowdown) — China Rejects AI ‘Fearmongering’ After Amodei Urges Slowdown
- [TNW](https://thenextweb.com/news/beijing-amodei-ai-slowdown-cold-war) — Beijing calls Amodei’s AI slowdown plan a Cold War script
- [연합뉴스-Yonhap News Agency](https://yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260914060151083) — China Responds to Antropic CEO's Claim of 'China AI Regulation': "Only Hinders AI Progress" (Roundup)
- [https://www.idxchannel.com/](https://idxchannel.com/technology/china-tuduh-rencana-as-rem-pengembangan-ai-hanya-dalih-untuk-jegal-deepseek-dkk) — China Accuses US Plans to Curb AI Development of Being Just a Pretext to Thwart DeepSeek and Others
- [Asia One](https://asiaone.com/china/china-state-newspaper-blasts-anthropics-calls-slow-ai-cold-war-tactic) — China state newspaper blasts Anthropic's calls to slow AI as 'Cold War' tactic
- [indyturk.com](https://indyturk.com/node/782441) — China's Claim that Artificial Intelligence Threatens Humanity Is Reminiscent of the "Cold War."
- [Clubic.com](https://clubic.com/actualite-629482-chine-pekin-accuse-anthropic-de-freiner-l-ia-pour-mener-une-guerre-froide-technologique.html) — China: Beijing Accuses Anthropic of Stopping AI to Lead a Technological "Cold War" · Global Voices
- [haberglobal.com](https://haberglobal.com/ekonomi/cin-yapay-zeka-yavaslatma-cagrisini-soguk-savas-olarak-nitelendirdi-544043) — China Has Described Calls to Slow Down Artificial Intelligence as a 'Cold War'.
- [katadata.co.id](https://katadata.co.id/digital/teknologi/6aa79ae0bb328/bos-teknologi-as-minta-ai-direm-karena-ancam-manusia-cina-curiga-perang-dingin) — US Tech Boss Urges AI to Be Reined in Due to Human Threat, China Suspects Cold War - Katadata.co.id Technology
- [The Objective | Periodismo ethos](https://theobjective.com/tecnologia/2026-09-14/prensa-oficial-china-ee-uu-manual-guerra-fria-ia) — China’s Official Press Accuses the US of Using a “Cold War Manual” Against Its AI
- [Unknown](https://digiato.com/artificial-intelligence/china-anthropic-ai-cold-war) — China's State-Run Newspaper: Enthropic Call to Slow Down AI Is a Cold War Tactic
- [IT Security News - cybersecurity, infosecurity news](https://itsecuritynews.info/anthropic-ceo-calls-for-an-ai-slowdown-is-it-possible) — Anthropic CEO Calls for an AI Slowdown. Is It Possible?
- [The News](https://thenews.com.pk/latest/1416141-china-state-media-slams-anthropics-ai-slowdown-call-as-cold-war-strategy) — China state media slams Anthropic’s AI slowdown call as ‘Cold War’ strategy
- [Hola News](https://holanews.com/medio-oficial-chino-acusa-a-ee-uu-de-usar-un-manual-de-guerra-fria-contra-su-ia) — Middle Chinese Officer Accuses the U.S. of Using a "Cold War Manual" Against His AI
- [NDTV](https://ndtv.com/world-news/chinese-media-slams-anthropic-ceo-dario-amodei-ai-slowdown-call-as-cold-war-playbook-12043514) — Chinese Media Slams Anthropic CEO's AI Slowdown Call As "Cold War Playbook"
- [India Today](https://indiatoday.in/world/story/china-slams-anthropic-ceo-ai-slowdown-proposal-calls-it-cold-war-playbook-2994090-2026-09-14) — China slams Anthropic CEO's AI slowdown proposal, calls it Cold War playbook
- [Latestly](https://latestly.com/agency-news/business-news-chinese-media-dubs-dario-amodeis-call-to-slowdown-ai-development-as-hostile-and-groundless-7603627.html) — Chinese Media Dubs Dario Amodei's Call to Slowdown AI Development as 'hostile' and 'groundless'
- [Portfolio](https://portfolio.hu/uzlet/20260914/az-emberiseg-kihalasatol-tartanak-a-szakertok-kina-szerint-szep-csendben-uj-hideghaboru-robbant-ki-862384) — Experts Fear the Extinction of Humanity, and China Says a New Cold War Has Quietly Broken Out
- [regionalmedianews.com](https://regionalmedianews.com/news/national/business/china-state-newspaper-blasts-anthropics-calls-to-slow-ai-as-cold-war-tactic) — China state newspaper blasts Anthropic’s calls to slow AI as ‘Cold War’ tactic - Regional Media News
- [TechCentral](https://techcentral.co.za/beijing-anthropic-ceo-ai-cold-war/286065) — Beijing accuses Anthropic CEO of waging an AI 'Cold War'
- [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/09/14/china-state-newspaper-blasts-anthropics-calls-to-slow-ai-as-cold-war-tactic) — China state newspaper blasts Anthropic’s calls to slow AI as ‘Cold War’ tactic
- [Times of India](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/china-accuses-anthropic-ceos-ai-slowdown-plan-of-being-a-cold-war-strategy-to-undermine-its-tech-growth/articleshow/134232378.cms) — China state newspaper calls Anthropic CEO’s AI slowdown plan a ‘Cold War playbook’
- [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-state-newspaper-blasts-anthropics-calls-to-slow-ai-as-cold-war-tactic) — China’s Global Times blasts Anthropic’s calls to slow AI as ‘Cold War’ tactic
- [The Economic Times](https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/global-trends/china-accuses-anthropic-ceos-ai-slowdown-plan-of-being-a-cold-war-strategy-to-undermine-its-tech-growth/articleshow/134232378.cms) — China state newspaper calls Anthropic CEO’s AI slowdown plan a ‘Cold War playbook’
- [Unknown](https://epochtimes.jp/2026/09/386048.html) — Anthropique CEO Warns "the Chinese Communist Party Could Become a Major Obstacle" Regarding the Slowdown in AI Development.
- [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/0bc99d8081a3ec49) — China state newspaper blasts Anthropic's calls to slow AI as 'Cold War' tactic
- [Live Mint](https://livemint.com/technology/china-state-newspaper-blasts-anthropics-calls-to-slow-ai-as-cold-war-tactic-11789358619571.html) — China state newspaper blasts Anthropics calls to slow AI as Cold War tactic
- [U-S-NEWS.COM](https://u-s-news.com/politics-anthropic-ceo-calls-for-us-china-arms-control-talks-on-ai-development-the-beltway-report) — POLITICS: Anthropic CEO Calls for US-China ‘Arms Control’ Talks on AI Development – The Beltway Report
- [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/china/china-state-newspaper-blasts-anthropics-calls-slow-ai-cold-war-tactic-2026-09-14) — China state newspaper blasts Anthropic's calls to slow AI as 'Cold War' tactic
- [The Beltway Report](https://thebeltwayreport.com/2026/09/anthropic-ceo-calls-for-us-china-arms-control-talks-on-ai-development) — Anthropic CEO Calls for US-China ‘Arms Control’ Talks on AI Development
- [大纪元 Epoch Times](https://epochtimes.com/b5/26/9/13/n14848920.htm) — Anthropic CEO Discusses Slowing Down AI Development: China May Become a Problem.
- [democraticaccent.com](https://democraticaccent.com/anthropic-ceo-likens-ai-fight-with-china-to-cold-war-seeks-disarmament-negotiations) — Anthropic CEO likens AI fight with China to Cold War, seeks 'disarmament negotiations' – Democratic Accent
- [Fox News](https://foxnews.com/media/anthropic-ceo-likens-ai-fight-china-cold-war-seeks-disarmament-negotiations) — Anthropic CEO likens AI fight with China to Cold War, seeks 'disarmament negotiations'
- [Aroged](https://aroged.com/2026/09/13/anthropic-chief-says-china-is-major-obstacle-slowing-development-of-advanced-artificial-intelligence) — Anthropic chief says China is major obstacle slowing development of advanced artificial intelligence
- [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/world/anthropic-chief-urges-ai-pacing-arms-control-framework-with-china/4056100) — Anthropic Chief Urges AI Pacing, Arms Control Framework with China
- [Portal Mix Vale](https://mixvale.com.br/2026/09/13/leading-ai-executive-calls-for-us-china-disarmament-negotiations-to-avert-global-technology-risks) — Leading AI Executive Calls for US-China ‘Disarmament Negotiations' to Avert Global Technology Risks

## Questions

**What did Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei propose regarding AI development?**

Dario Amodei published an essay on Saturday proposing a slowdown in the development of advanced artificial intelligence. He also urged the US to stop selling powerful AI chips and related manufacturing equipment to China and to crack down on smuggling and remote data centre access.

**How did China's state media react to Amodei's proposal?**

China's state-run Global Times described Amodei's essay as a 'Cold War playbook' intended to curb China's AI progress. The newspaper also called the plan a 'quiet AI Cold War' that was hypocritical and short-sighted, aiming to maintain US technological dominance.

**Who else endorsed Amodei's call for an AI slowdown?**

The essay by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei was endorsed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and SpaceX founder Elon Musk. Both figures have publicly supported the idea of pacing AI development due to safety concerns.

**When are the US and China scheduled to discuss AI safety?**

Sources indicate that the United States and China are scheduled to discuss frontier AI safety at a summit on September 24. This discussion comes amid growing international concern over the risks posed by rapidly advancing artificial intelligence.

---

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