BEIJING -- China has proposed the Global AI Governance Initiative to help bridge the technological divide and prevent sci-tech innovation from becoming a game of the rich countries and the wealthy, a spokesperson said Tuesday.

"China protects data privacy and security in accordance with the law. In the meantime, China is opposed to overstretching the concept of national security and politicizing economic and technological issues," said Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the third session of the 14th National People's Congress, China's national legislature, at a press conference.

China stands ready to work with other countries to promote the healthy development of artificial intelligence (AI), boost world economic growth and increase the well-being of people all over the world, added the spokesperson.