During the second day of the BRICS 2026 Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of bolstering cooperation among Global South countries. He introduced five strategic initiatives to enhance collaboration among emerging economies, underscoring the need for a collective effort in shaping global rules. Xi advocated for the adherence to international law, sovereign equality, non-interference, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, while firmly rejecting the idea that power justifies actions. He stressed that rules should be applied uniformly, without any double standards.
The proposed initiatives by China include a focus on artificial intelligence, trade and investment, the digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, and the cultivation of science and technology talent. One of the key propositions is the establishment of a BRICS AI open-source community, aimed at fostering cooperation on large language models and creating an inclusive AI ecosystem. Additionally, a trade and investment facilitation initiative is suggested, incorporating a partnership for BRICS special economic zones and the creation of a new BRICS Forum on Trade in Services.
In the realm of digital cooperation, the initiatives propose the development of a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform, along with digital skills training and technology exchange programs. The intelligent manufacturing initiative sees China advocating for the development of smart factories and the establishment of common standards to modernize the manufacturing sector, reflecting a commitment to advancing industrial capabilities.
The fifth initiative places emphasis on the cultivation of science and technology talent, proposing the formation of a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance. This initiative also includes youth exchange programs, designed to foster innovation and nurture skilled professionals capable of driving future advancements in technology and engineering.