(KPL/Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on BRICS countries to strengthen cooperation, uphold multilateralism and support the collective development of the Global South, as he addressed the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, on September 13, 2026.

Speaking at Session II of the summit, President Xi said the Global South had become an important force in the emerging multipolar world and urged BRICS countries to play a more active and stabilising role in international affairs.

He called for greater respect for international law and the principles of sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs and the peaceful settlement of disputes. He also urged Global South countries to strengthen the role of the United Nations, support reform of multilateral institutions and increase the representation and voice of developing countries in the international financial system.

President Xi stressed the importance of people-centred development and the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He said China would continue to expand opening up and share opportunities arising from its economic development with other countries.

Addressing global challenges, he called for stronger international cooperation on security, climate change and artificial intelligence (AI), including efforts to develop a consensus-based global AI governance framework.

To strengthen practical BRICS cooperation, President Xi proposed five initiatives covering open-source and inclusive AI, trade and investment facilitation, digital industry cooperation, intelligent manufacturing, and science and technology talent development.

He proposed establishing a BRICS AI open-source community, a partnership on special economic zones, a digital ecosystem cloud platform, cooperation in smart manufacturing, and a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance. China also plans to launch a youth exchange programme focused on scientific and technological innovation.

President Xi said China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development would serve not only as a blueprint for China’s development but also as a list of opportunities for international cooperation. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to high-quality development, high-standard opening up, the Global Development Initiative and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

He called on BRICS members to work together to strengthen cooperation and promote greater unity and development across the Global South.

KPL