Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday called for stronger cooperation among countries of the Global South at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, pitching five initiatives focused on artificial intelligence, trade, the digital economy, smart manufacturing and technology talent.
Speaking during the session on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism”, Xi also called for a rules-based international order, saying global rules should be shaped by all countries.
Xi urged Global South nations to jointly uphold international law, sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs and the peaceful settlement of disputes. He also stressed that international rules should be applied equally and without double standards.
Xi proposes five initiatives
Xi proposed five initiatives aimed at deepening cooperation among BRICS countries and strengthening ties with emerging markets.
The first focuses on AI and open-source cooperation. China proposed establishing a BRICS AI open-source community, encouraging cooperation on large language models and promoting an open artificial intelligence ecosystem.
The second initiative covers trade and investment facilitation. It includes a proposed BRICS special economic zone partnership and the launch of a BRICS Forum on Trade in Services next year.
The third focuses on digital industry cooperation, with a proposal for a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform. It also seeks to promote digital skills training, technology exchanges and industrial cooperation.
Under the fourth initiative on intelligent manufacturing, China proposed supporting BRICS countries in developing smart factories and standards aimed at accelerating manufacturing upgrades.
The fifth initiative focuses on science and technology talent development. It proposes a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance and a youth exchange programme centred on scientific and technological innovation.
Xi pitches stronger Global South cooperation
Xi called on BRICS members to deepen engagement with emerging markets and maintain open and mutually beneficial cooperation.
He also stressed the importance of stable industrial and supply chains and called for efforts to build a large, integrated market to support economic cooperation and development.
Call for rules-based international order
Xi said the approach of “might makes right” should be discarded in international affairs.
He urged Global South countries to jointly defend the rule of law and uphold the basic principles of international relations, including sovereign equality, non-interference and peaceful settlement of disputes.
He also called for international law and global rules to be applied to all countries equally and without double standards.
Xi’s remarks came during the second day of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where leaders are discussing global governance, economic cooperation, technology, development and the priorities of the Global South.
