During the second day of the BRICS 2026 Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a call for enhanced collaboration among nations of the Global South. He outlined five key initiatives aimed at bolstering cooperation among emerging economies. President Xi emphasized the importance of all countries having a role in shaping global rules and urged BRICS members to adhere to principles such as international law, sovereign equality, non-interference, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. He criticized the approach of “might makes right” and advocated for the equal application of rules without double standards.
The initiatives proposed by China cover a range of critical areas including artificial intelligence, trade and investment, the digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, and the development of science and technology talent. Xi’s proposals are designed to foster collaboration and innovation among the BRICS nations, which consist of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
One of the key initiatives is the creation of a BRICS AI open-source community, which aims to facilitate cooperation on large language models and foster an inclusive AI ecosystem. Additionally, China has proposed a trade and investment facilitation initiative that includes a partnership for BRICS special economic zones and the establishment of a new BRICS Forum on Trade in Services.
The digital cooperation initiative sets out plans to develop a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform, alongside efforts to provide digital skills training and promote technology exchanges. In the realm of intelligent manufacturing, China intends to support the development of smart factories and establish common standards to modernize the manufacturing sector.
Lastly, the fifth initiative focuses on nurturing talent in science and technology. This includes the creation of a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance and the establishment of youth exchange programs aimed at promoting innovation and developing skilled professionals within the member countries. Through these initiatives, China seeks to deepen collaboration and drive growth among the BRICS nations.