During the second day of the BRICS 2026 Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation among countries in the Global South. He proposed five strategic initiatives aimed at boosting collaboration among emerging economies, highlighting the importance of shaping global rules collectively. Xi urged BRICS members to adhere to international law, uphold sovereign equality, and resolve disputes peacefully, while rejecting the notion of “might makes right” and calling for consistent application of rules without double standards.
The proposed initiatives center on pivotal areas such as artificial intelligence, trade and investment, the digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, and the development of science and technology talent. One key proposal from China involves the creation of a BRICS AI open-source community to foster cooperation on large language models and cultivate an inclusive AI ecosystem. In terms of trade and investment, China suggested the establishment of a facilitation initiative that includes a partnership for BRICS special economic zones and the formation of a new BRICS Forum on Trade in Services.
Digital cooperation is another focal point, with plans to develop a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform. This initiative aims to enhance digital skills training and promote technology exchanges among member countries. Under the intelligent manufacturing initiative, China expressed its commitment to supporting the development of smart factories and establishing common standards to bring manufacturing into the modern era.
The final initiative targets the cultivation of science and technology talent. China proposed the formation of a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance and the introduction of youth exchange programs. These efforts are designed to stimulate innovation and help develop skilled professionals within the BRICS nations, fostering a robust environment for scientific and technological growth.