At the BRICS 2026 Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of enhanced collaboration among Global South nations. On the summit’s second day, he introduced five strategic initiatives designed to bolster partnerships among emerging economies. Xi advocated for global governance shaped by the collective input of all countries, urging BRICS members to uphold principles such as international law, sovereign equality, non-interference, and peaceful dispute resolution. He also criticized approaches that prioritize force over fairness, advocating instead for consistent application of rules without double standards.
The proposed initiatives cover key areas including artificial intelligence, trade and investment, the digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, and the cultivation of science and technology talent. In the realm of artificial intelligence, China suggested forming a BRICS AI open-source community to foster collaboration on large language models and to create a welcoming AI ecosystem. Additionally, a trade and investment facilitation initiative was proposed, featuring a partnership to establish BRICS special economic zones and a new BRICS Forum on Trade in Services.
Xi’s digital cooperation initiative aims to develop a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform, which would include digital skills training and technology exchange programs. Within the intelligent manufacturing sector, China plans to aid in the advancement of smart factories and the establishment of common standards to modernize manufacturing processes. These efforts reflect a commitment to integrate cutting-edge technology across BRICS nations.
The final initiative focuses on nurturing science and technology talent. It includes the creation of a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance and youth exchange programs to stimulate innovation and cultivate a workforce of skilled professionals. These initiatives underscore China’s dedication to fostering an environment of innovation and development across BRICS countries, encouraging the growth of a knowledgeable and capable workforce for the future.