U. S. Boosts AI and Fishing Tech at APEC to Counter China

The United States is stepping up its push for artificial intelligence and maritime monitoring tools at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings held in southern China. This move is part of a larger strategy to keep U. S. influence strong in the region as tensions with China grow. A senior U. S. representative at APEC announced that Washington has created a $20 million fund to help partner countries adopt American AI solutions. The program is meant to strengthen U. S. leadership in new technologies and prepare for upcoming high‑level visits, including President Trump’s trip to China in April and the APEC leaders’ summit in Shenzhen next year. China is working hard to catch up in AI, but it faces obstacles such as limited access to advanced chip‑making equipment. U. S. officials have warned that China’s AI development is tied to state propaganda and censorship, while Beijing insists it supports global cooperation on AI governance.In addition to AI, the U. S. is promoting private‑sector technologies that fight illegal fishing. These activities threaten food security and maritime sovereignty in the Pacific, especially for smaller island nations that struggle to enforce their waters against China’s large distant‑water fleet. Experts say U. S. companies are developing satellite tracking, AI analytics, acoustic sensors, and ocean buoys to help governments spot illegal fishing. The problem is often linked to other crimes like forced labor and trafficking. China’s new Fisheries Law, expected to take effect in May, is being watched closely. U. S. officials want to see whether China will actually implement the changes it has announced.