During the second day of the BRICS 2026 Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the necessity for enhanced collaboration among Global South nations. He introduced five initiatives that aim to bolster partnerships among emerging economies, underscoring the importance of all countries having a say in shaping global rules. Xi stressed the significance of upholding international law, sovereign equality, non-interference, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. He opposed the notion that “might makes right,” advocating instead for the equal application of rules without double standards.
The proposed initiatives target key areas: artificial intelligence, trade and investment, the digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, and the development of science and technology talent. Xi’s vision includes establishing a BRICS AI open-source community to foster cooperation on large language models and create an inclusive AI ecosystem. In trade and investment, China suggested an initiative that features a partnership for BRICS special economic zones and the launch of a new BRICS Forum on Trade in Services.
In the realm of digital cooperation, plans are laid out for a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform, complemented by digital skills training and technology exchange programs. The intelligent manufacturing initiative will see support for the development of smart factories and the establishment of common standards to modernize manufacturing processes.
Focusing on cultivating science and technology talent, the fifth initiative proposes forming a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance. This initiative is designed to foster innovation and develop skilled professionals through youth exchange programs. These proposals reflect China’s commitment to nurturing talent and promoting advancements in science and technology within the BRICS framework.