China Watches Mythos Developments Closely Ahead Of Trump-Xi Meeting

China has expressed growing concerns over the potential use of advanced artificial intelligence systems developed by US companies, adding another layer of complexity to already strained relations between Beijing and Washington ahead of a planned meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. Officials in Beijing are reportedly focusing particular attention on Anthropic PBC’s Mythos and other frontier AI models, amid fears that such technologies could have military or cybersecurity applications.

According to people familiar with the matter, Chinese officials are concerned about the cyber capabilities of advanced AI systems and the possibility that models like Mythos could be used as offensive tools. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity while discussing sensitive issues, said Beijing is questioning why Anthropic has restricted China's access to its AI systems even for what it considers legitimate and civilian purposes. The concerns come at a sensitive moment in US-China relations, with both countries attempting to manage disagreements in areas including technology, trade, national security, and artificial intelligence.

Beijing is reportedly seeking to maintain a relatively positive environment ahead of Xi’s planned visit to the United States on September 24, while also preparing for expected discussions on AI cooperation and governance. China has indicated that it wants future artificial intelligence talks with the US to follow a “win-win” approach, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Officials are hoping to prevent AI competition from becoming another major point of confrontation between the two nations. However, mutual distrust remains high, particularly over the development and use of advanced technologies that could influence economic and military capabilities.

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The US government has raised concerns that Chinese companies may be using American-developed frontier AI models to train their own systems. Washington has increasingly focused on restricting access to advanced technologies, including high-performance computing equipment and AI-related tools, citing national security concerns. These restrictions have become a major source of tension between the two countries. For China, the rapid advancement of AI technology is viewed as both an economic opportunity and a strategic challenge.

Beijing has been investing heavily in domestic AI development as part of its broader goal of becoming a global leader in emerging technologies. Chinese technology firms have been working to develop alternatives to leading US AI systems, although access to cutting-edge computing resources remains a major issue. Anthropic, like several other major US AI companies, has faced increasing scrutiny over how its technology is distributed internationally. The company has emphasised the importance of responsible AI development and has placed restrictions on access in certain regions based on security, compliance, and policy considerations.

The growing debate over AI access highlights the broader competition between the United States and China over control of next-generation technologies. Artificial intelligence has become a key area of strategic rivalry, with both governments viewing leadership in the field as essential for economic growth, national security, and global influence. As Xi and Trump prepare for their expected meeting, artificial intelligence is likely to emerge as one of several technology-related issues requiring careful negotiation. While both sides have expressed interest in maintaining dialogue, disagreements over cybersecurity, technology access, and AI development are expected to remain significant challenges in efforts to stabilise bilateral relations.

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