International : September 13: Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the second session of the 18th BRICS Summit of BRICS leaders in New Delhi, India, on Sunday morning and delivered an important speech titled “Strengthening the Foundation of BRICS Cooperation and Enhancing the Strength of the Global South.”

Xi Jinping stressed that countries of the Global South must work together to uphold the rule of international law. They should uphold the fundamental principles of international relations, including sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs and the peaceful settlement of disputes. It must be ensured that international law and international rules are applied equally to all and that no double standards are adopted.

The principles of multilateralism must be upheld by safeguarding the authority and role of the United Nations, while supporting efforts to reform and enhance the effectiveness of multilateral institutions. The reform of the World Trade Organization should be advanced in the right direction. At the same time, the international financial architecture should be reformed and improved, with greater representation and voice for developing countries.

A people-centered approach to development must be pursued, and efforts should be made to advance the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Countries should work hand in hand in security management and address both traditional and non-traditional security threats. Global climate governance should be further improved, and a global artificial intelligence governance framework should be established at a faster pace. This will help ensure that emerging technologies can illuminate the path toward shared prosperity.

To further deepen BRICS cooperation, Xi Jinping proposed five initiatives.

First, an initiative to promote open-source artificial intelligence and ensure its benefits are shared by all.
China will take the lead in establishing an artificial intelligence open-source zone for BRICS countries. It will support cooperation in the development and application of large language models, organize specialized training and workshops on artificial intelligence, and build an open AI ecosystem.

Second, an initiative to facilitate trade and investment.
China proposes establishing partnerships among special economic zones in BRICS countries. A smart portal will be established to strengthen policy coordination and create new hubs for open development. Next year, China will host a BRICS Forum on Trade in Services and create new areas of growth for trade and economic cooperation.

Third, an initiative to promote cooperation in the digital industry.
China will take the initiative to establish a digital industry cloud platform for BRICS countries. Through digital skills training, technology exchanges and stronger links among industries, the countries will jointly advance the development of the digital economy.

Fourth, an initiative to promote cooperation in smart manufacturing.
China is willing to assist BRICS countries in building smart factories and developing common standards and regulatory frameworks. Through these efforts, the transformation and modernization of the manufacturing sector will be jointly advanced.

Fifth, an initiative to develop talent in science and technology.
China has proposed establishing an engineer training alliance for BRICS countries. The initiative will facilitate joint engineer training and mutual recognition of professional competency standards. At the same time, China will implement the BRICS Youth Science and Technology Innovation Exchange Program to cultivate more high-caliber science and technology talent.

Xi Jinping stressed that this year marks the beginning of the implementation of China’s “15th Five-Year Plan.” The plan is not only a blueprint for China’s own development, but also a list of opportunities for open cooperation with the world.

China will continue to pursue high-quality development, further expand high-standard opening-up, implement the Global Development Initiative and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

China wants to work with all countries around the world to share opportunities, create prosperity and pursue common development, and jointly write a new chapter of unity and self-reliance among countries of the Global South.

Source: Shuwei, Towhid, Jinia, China Media Group.