At the BRICS 2026 Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation among Global South nations by introducing five initiatives aimed at bolstering collaboration among emerging economies. In his address, Xi underscored the importance of shaping global rules with contributions from all countries, urging BRICS members to adhere to international law, respect sovereign equality, avoid interference, and resolve disputes peacefully. He criticized the “might makes right” approach and advocated for fair application of rules without double standards.
The proposed initiatives focus on key areas such as artificial intelligence, trade and investment, the digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, and the development of science and technology talent. One of the initiatives suggests creating a BRICS AI open-source community to foster cooperation on large language models and build an inclusive AI ecosystem. Additionally, China proposed a trade and investment facilitation initiative, which includes establishing partnerships for BRICS special economic zones and introducing a new BRICS Forum on Trade in Services.
To advance digital cooperation, the initiatives include plans to develop a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform, along with efforts to provide digital skills training and facilitate technology exchanges. In the realm of intelligent manufacturing, China aims to support the development of smart factories and establish common standards to modernize manufacturing processes.
The final initiative targets the cultivation of science and technology talent, proposing the creation of a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance and youth exchange programs. These efforts are designed to promote innovation and develop skilled professionals, ensuring that BRICS countries are well-prepared for future technological advancements.