Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, on September 13, 2026, where he emphasized the importance of BRICS countries working together to promote a fairer and more representative international order. Xi Jinping highlighted the need for the Global South to unite and be a positive force in international affairs, given the current volatile and risky international landscape. He stressed that a world without rules would lead to chaos and disorder.
Xi Jinping reiterated that fairness and justice are universal aspirations, and international rules must be written by all countries, not just a select few. He emphasized the need for Global South countries to jointly defend the rule of law in international affairs and safeguard basic norms of international relations, including sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs. The Chinese President also called for the equal participation of all countries in international affairs and the reform of multilateral institutions.
The Chinese President proposed several initiatives to strengthen BRICS cooperation, including an open-source and inclusive AI initiative, a trade and investment facilitation initiative, and a digital industry cooperation initiative. He also suggested establishing a BRICS special economic zone partnership and holding a BRICS Forum on Trade in Services. Xi Jinping emphasized the need for BRICS countries to leverage their close ties with fellow emerging markets and Global South countries to promote open cooperation and mutual benefit.
Xi Jinping highlighted China's commitment to a people-centered development philosophy and its efforts to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He mentioned that China has implemented over 2,000 projects in partnership with others and provided training for more than 200,000 professionals, benefiting people in over 120 countries. The Chinese President also noted that China has granted zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations.
The Chinese President emphasized the need for Global South countries to jointly advance security governance and tackle traditional and non-traditional security threats. He called for improved global climate governance and the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement. Xi Jinping also suggested that BRICS countries should develop AI for the positive and for good, and work towards a consensus-based global AI governance framework.
Xi Jinping outlined five initiatives to cement the foundation of greater BRICS cooperation, including the establishment of a BRICS AI open-source community, a BRICS special economic zone partnership, and a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform. He also proposed setting up a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance and launching a BRICS youth exchange program for scientific and technological innovation.
The Chinese President concluded his speech by emphasizing that China will continue to advance high-quality development, expand high-standard opening up, and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. He invited BRICS countries to work together to promote greater BRICS cooperation and write a new chapter of strength through unity for the Global South.
Key points
- Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasizes the need for BRICS countries to promote a fairer and more representative international order.
- Xi Jinping proposes several initiatives to strengthen BRICS cooperation, including an open-source and inclusive AI initiative and a trade and investment facilitation initiative.
- The Chinese President highlights China's commitment to a people-centered development philosophy and its efforts to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
