During the ongoing BRICS 2026 Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of enhanced collaboration among Global South nations. He presented five key initiatives designed to bolster partnerships among emerging economies. In his speech, Xi highlighted the need for global rules to be formulated inclusively, stressing the importance of adhering to international law, sovereign equality, non-interference, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. He criticized a “might makes right” mentality and advocated for equitable application of rules without double standards.
The proposed initiatives by China focus on several critical areas: artificial intelligence, trade and investment, the digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, and the development of science and technology talent. To foster cooperation in artificial intelligence, China suggested the creation of a BRICS AI open-source community, which would facilitate collaboration on large language models and contribute to building an inclusive AI ecosystem.
In the realm of trade and investment, China proposed a facilitation initiative that includes forming a partnership for BRICS special economic zones and establishing a new BRICS Forum on Trade in Services. This initiative aims to enhance economic ties and streamline investments among member countries.
The digital cooperation initiative includes the establishment of a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform, alongside programs for digital skills training and technology exchanges. These efforts are meant to foster greater connectivity and technological advancement within the group. Under the intelligent manufacturing initiative, China has pledged to support the development of smart factories and the establishment of common standards to modernize the industrial sector.
Finally, the initiative focusing on science and technology talent aims to cultivate skilled professionals and encourage innovation. This includes the formation of a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance and youth exchange programs, which are intended to promote cross-border knowledge exchange and develop future leaders in science and technology. Through these comprehensive initiatives, China seeks to strengthen ties among BRICS nations and advance shared economic and technological goals.