Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday announced a series of initiatives covering artificial intelligence, trade and investment aimed at strengthening cooperation among the expanded BRICS grouping.
Speaking at the BRICS leaders’ summit in New Delhi, Xi said greater emphasis should be placed on political, security, economic and financial cooperation as member states seek to expand the bloc’s international influence.
According to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, Xi said the success of the “Greater BRICS Initiative” would depend on establishing a strong foundation for practical collaboration. He urged member states to strengthen coordination, safeguard industrial and supply chains and work towards developing a more integrated market.
Xi also announced that China would take the lead in creating a BRICS AI Open-Source Zone to facilitate collaboration on large language models, AI training and the development of an open artificial intelligence ecosystem. He further proposed a partnership focused on BRICS special economic zones and said China would host a BRICS Service Trade Forum next year to promote trade and investment among member states.
The BRICS grouping, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has expanded significantly in recent years. Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates have joined the bloc.
At the same time, 10 additional countries have been designated as partners, extending its presence across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. China and Russia have referred to the expanded grouping as “Greater BRICS”.
The summit was held against the backdrop of renewed violence in the Gulf, including attacks involving the United States and Iran. At the same time, Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia have further widened regional tensions.
Despite escalated conflict, BRICS leaders reached an important diplomatic understanding on Saturday by adopting a joint declaration supported by Iran and the UAE. The declaration voiced serious concern over the escalating situation in the Middle East and called on all sides to exercise maximum restraint.
BRICS Backs Measures to Keep Global Energy, Trade Flows Moving
