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 introduced five key initiatives designed to bolster collaboration among emerging economies, highlighting the importance of collective input in shaping global rules. Xi urged BRICS members to adhere to principles of international law, such as sovereign equality, non-interference, and peaceful dispute resolution, while rejecting the notion that power dictates right. He advocated for uniformly applied rules without double standards.
The proposed initiatives by China cover a range of areas including artificial intelligence, trade and investment, digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, and the development of science and technology talent. One initiative suggests the creation of a BRICS AI open-source community to foster cooperation on large language models and to develop an inclusive AI ecosystem. Another focuses on facilitating trade and investment, proposing a partnership for BRICS special economic zones and establishing a new BRICS Forum on Trade in Services.
In the realm of digital cooperation, China has laid out plans for a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform that would include digital skills training and technology exchanges. The intelligent manufacturing initiative aims to support the development of smart factories and establish common standards to modernize manufacturing processes. This initiative highlights China’s commitment to pushing forward technological advancements in industry.
Additionally, the fifth initiative targets the cultivation of science and technology talent. It includes the formation of a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance and youth exchange programs aimed at promoting innovation and developing skilled professionals. These efforts are designed to ensure the development of human capital capable of driving future advancements and fostering innovation across BRICS nations.