Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled a slate of new initiatives spanning artificial intelligence, trade, and economic cooperation at the annual BRICS leaders’ summit in New Delhi, according to official reports from Xinhua cited by Reuters. The push aims to weld the expanded emerging economies bloc into a practical platform for Global South development.
Xi Jinping Unveils ‘Greater BRICS’ Economic Initiatives
During the summit’s closing session, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that the success of the Greater BRICS Initiative depends on laying a solid foundation for pragmatic cooperation, according to Xinhua. Xi urged member nations to maintain the stability of industrial and supply chains and cultivate an integrated market.
To advance these goals, China will take the lead in establishing a BRICS AI Open Source Zone, Xinhua reported. The zone is designed to promote cooperation on large language models, artificial intelligence training, and an open AI ecosystem. Additionally, Xi proposed a BRICS Special Economic Zone partnership and announced that China will host a BRICS Service Trade Forum next year to boost trade and investment ties.
Did you know? BRICS has expanded beyond its original membership of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to include Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates, alongside 10 partner countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Global South Development and a Fairer Multipolar Order
Leaders at the New Delhi summit emphasized the broader geopolitical aims of the grouping. Modi urged BRICS solutions applicable across the Global South.
China and Russia sometimes refer to this larger bloc as “Greater BRICS.”
Diplomatic Consensus Amid Regional Tensions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ‘Greater BRICS’ initiative?
What new economic measures did China propose at the summit?
According to official reports, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed establishing a BRICS AI Open Source Zone, a BRICS Special Economic Zone partnership, and announced that China will host a BRICS Service Trade Forum next year.
How did BRICS leaders address Middle East tensions?
The summit forged a consensus on a joint declaration backed by Iran and the UAE, expressing deep concern over Middle Eastern escalations and urging maximum restraint. Additionally, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi on the sidelines to discuss regional stability.
Worth a look