On the second day of the BRICS 2026 Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of boosting cooperation among Global South nations. He introduced five initiatives that aim to enhance collaboration among emerging economies. Xi underscored the need for global rules to be shaped collectively by all countries, advocating for BRICS members to stand by principles such as international law, sovereign equality, non-interference, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. He dismissed the notion of “might makes right” and called for the equal application of rules without double standards.
The proposed initiatives revolve around key areas: artificial intelligence, trade and investment, the digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, and the cultivation of science and technology talent. A significant proposal from China involves the establishment of a BRICS AI open-source community. This initiative seeks to foster collaboration on large language models and develop an inclusive AI ecosystem. Additionally, China suggested a trade and investment facilitation initiative, which includes forming a partnership for BRICS special economic zones and introducing a new BRICS Forum on Trade in Services.
In the realm of digital cooperation, plans are underway to create a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform. This would be complemented by digital skills training and technology exchange programs. The intelligent manufacturing initiative envisions the development of smart factories and the establishment of common standards to modernize the manufacturing sector. By supporting these advancements, the initiative aims to propel the manufacturing industry into a new era of innovation.
The fifth initiative centers on nurturing science and technology talent. Among its components are the formation of a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance and the promotion of youth exchange programs. These efforts are designed to foster innovation and help develop a skilled workforce capable of driving future growth. Through these initiatives, China seeks to strengthen ties among BRICS nations and position them as key players in the global economy.