During the second day of the BRICS 2026 Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of enhancing collaboration among Global South nations. He introduced five initiatives aimed at boosting cooperation among these emerging economies. Xi stressed that global regulations should reflect the input of all countries, urging BRICS members to uphold principles such as international law, sovereign equality, non-interference, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. He also criticized the notion of “might makes right” and advocated for the consistent application of rules without double standards.
The proposed initiatives cover a range of areas including artificial intelligence, trade and investment, the digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, and the development of science and technology talent. One significant proposal is the establishment of a BRICS AI open-source community, which would foster collaboration on large language models to create an inclusive AI ecosystem.
In the realm of trade and investment, China suggested a facilitation initiative that includes forming a partnership for BRICS special economic zones and launching a new BRICS Forum on Trade in Services. This move aims to streamline trade processes and encourage economic growth among member countries.
Moreover, the digital cooperation initiative outlines plans for a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform, alongside digital skills training and technology exchanges. This initiative seeks to bolster digital collaboration and skill development across member nations. Under the intelligent manufacturing initiative, China intends to support the creation of smart factories and the establishment of common standards to advance manufacturing modernization.
The final initiative focuses on nurturing science and technology talent through the creation of a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance and youth exchange programs. These efforts are designed to promote innovation and develop a skilled workforce capable of driving future advancements in science and technology.