If China achieves AGI first, we are done. The first thing they'll do is create cyber-weapons. Their AGI could find vulnerabilities in our systems and brick all of our devices.
It's a far greater near term existential risk for us to allow China to gain a lead here.
If China doesn't even respect its own citizens (see Xinjiang, heavy censorship if you need evidence), why would they respect talks with other countries?
It's a far greater near term existential risk for us to allow China to gain a lead here.