NEW DELHI, (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping has described the BRICS cooperation mechanism as the world’s most influential platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries.
Xi made the remarks on Saturday while addressing the first session of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of BRICS cooperation.
He said the bloc has continued to grow and expand over the past two decades, demonstrating strong vitality and dynamism.
According to Xi, the past 20 years have been marked by self-reliance and self-strengthening, with BRICS countries actively exploring development paths suited to their respective national conditions.
He said this has provided an example of how emerging markets and developing countries can strengthen themselves through unity.
Xi also described the period as 20 years of standing together through difficult times, noting that BRICS countries have worked collectively to address challenges including the global financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
The group, he said, has remained committed to safeguarding the common interests of the Global South while contributing stability and positive momentum to the world.
Xi said the past two decades of BRICS cooperation have produced significant results, including the historic expansion of the grouping, the establishment of a comprehensive and multi-tiered cooperation framework, and the beginning of a new stage of high-quality development.
He noted that the world is undergoing an accelerated transformation unseen in a century, while the Global South is rapidly gaining strength and the trend towards a multipolar world remains unstoppable.
At the same time, Xi said unilateralism and power politics are increasing, while multilateralism and the international order are facing pressure. He added that deficits in peace, development, security and governance continue to widen.
Against this background, Xi urged BRICS countries to stand on the right side of history, act as pioneers of the times, promote a more just and equitable international order and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
Innovation and artificial intelligence
Xi called on BRICS to take the lead in promoting innovation-driven development.
He urged member countries to seize opportunities, strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, encourage open-source development, and promote openness, cooperation and sharing.
He also called for practical cooperation to be expanded into new areas and raised to higher levels.
Xi said BRICS countries are welcome to actively participate in the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization.
China, he said, has proposed an initiative to promote new industrialisation through artificial intelligence among BRICS countries and is ready to work with all parties to achieve more results in research, development and application while deepening cooperation in industrial and supply chains.
Promoting peace and stability
Xi also called on BRICS to become a pioneer in safeguarding peace and stability.
He urged BRICS countries to uphold a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, oppose Cold War thinking and bloc confrontation, and reject violations of national sovereignty and interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
BRICS, he said, should play a constructive role in resolving hotspot issues and contribute to solutions that address both their immediate symptoms and underlying causes.
China will work with fellow BRICS members to play its due role in bringing peace and stability to the Middle East and Gulf region, Xi said.
Strengthening cultural and people-to-people exchanges
Xi further called on BRICS countries to lead efforts in promoting mutual learning among civilisations.
He said the countries should champion the common values of humanity, promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilisations, and encourage harmonious coexistence.
He called for the successful organisation of the BRICS Forum on People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges, alongside greater sharing of experiences in state governance.
Xi also advocated deeper cooperation in culture, tourism and education, as well as stronger youth exchanges, to promote more frequent interactions and closer ties among peoples.
Reforming global governance
Xi called on BRICS to take the lead in reforming and improving global governance.
He urged the grouping to follow the trend towards greater democracy in international relations, promote a more just and equitable global governance system and uphold the authority of the United Nations.
BRICS should support a multilateral trading system centred on the World Trade Organization and reject all forms of protectionism, Xi said.
He also called on the grouping to take a leading role in global governance in emerging areas such as cyberspace, outer space and the deep sea, while strengthening the voice of Global South countries.
Unity remains key
Xi stressed that solidarity and cooperation have remained the driving force behind BRICS throughout its two-decade journey.
He called on member countries to remain sincere and candid with one another, seek common ground while respecting differences and respect each other’s core concerns.
He also urged BRICS members to deepen mutual understanding through communication and dialogue, properly manage differences and ensure that cooperation continues to advance steadily.
China will assume the rotating BRICS chairmanship and host the 19th BRICS Summit next year, Xi announced.
He said China is ready to work with all parties to build consensus, create a better future and embark on BRICS’ third “golden decade,” opening a bright future of prosperity and progress together.
