BRICS 2026: Xi Jinping proposes 5 initiatives to boost ties
What's the story
Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed five initiatives to strengthen ties among BRICS countries. The proposals were made during the second day of the BRICS 2026 Summit and as China prepares to take over the BRICS chairship next year. The initiatives aim to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, trade, digital economy, manufacturing, and talent development.
Initiative details
AI project, trade and investment facilitation plan
The first initiative is an open-source and inclusive AI project. Under this, China plans to set up a BRICS AI open-source community for cooperation on large language models.
The second initiative is a trade and investment facilitation plan, which includes creating a BRICS special economic zone partnership, under which countries can set up an intelligent portal, coordinate policies, and create a new frontier for open development.
Economic growth
Digital industry cooperation plan, focus on intelligent manufacturing
The third initiative is a digital industry cooperation plan. It aims to set up a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform and promote digital skills training, technology exchanges, and industrial cooperation.
The fourth initiative, Xi said, is focused on intelligent manufacturing, with China offering support for developing smart factories and standards.
Talent cultivation
Science and technology talent development plan
The fifth initiative is a science and technology talent development plan. It proposes setting up a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance and a youth exchange program focused on scientific innovation to develop skilled talent.
These initiatives are part of China's push for technology and industrial cooperation under its incoming BRICS presidency next year.
Global governance
Global South nations must uphold international law: Xi Jinping
In his address, Xi also called for a rules-based international order.
He said global rules should be shaped by all countries and rejected the "might makes right" approach and urged Global South nations to jointly uphold international law, sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, while ensuring "rules are applied equally without double standards."