Xi Jinping’s BRICS Blueprint: 5 Key Initiatives for Global South Ahead of China’s 2027 Chairship

Ahead of China taking over the BRICS chairship in 2027, Chinese President Xi Jinping has outlined an ambitious agenda aimed at deepening cooperation among the Global South.

Speaking during a session on the second day of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Xi proposed five key initiatives covering artificial intelligence, trade, digital technology, manufacturing, and scientific development.

Beijing called for stronger collaboration among the expanded BRICS grouping, or “Greater BRICS”, with the aim of transforming it into a more practical platform for economic and technological development across the Global South.

What Are Xi Jinping’s Five Proposed Initiatives?

1. BRICS AI Open-Source Community
Xi proposed the creation of a BRICS AI open-source community to promote cooperation in large language models (LLMs) and build a more open and inclusive artificial intelligence ecosystem.

2. New BRICS Trade Initiatives
China plans to promote new platforms for trade and investment within BRICS during its 2027 chairship. The proposals include a partnership for BRICS special economic zones and the establishment of a BRICS Forum on Trade in Services.

3. Digital Industry Cooperation
Xi called for the development of a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform. He also proposed programmes focused on digital skills training, technology exchanges and greater industrial cooperation among member countries.

4. Smart Manufacturing Cooperation
China has offered to support BRICS nations in developing smart factories, technical standards and common norms. The initiative is aimed at accelerating industrial transformation and upgrading manufacturing capabilities across the grouping.

5. Science and Technology Cooperation
Xi’s fifth proposal focuses on strengthening scientific and technological collaboration. He suggested creating a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance to develop engineering talent and promote mutual recognition of professional competency standards.

He also announced plans for a BRICS youth exchange programme focused on scientific and technological innovation, aimed at encouraging greater interaction among young researchers and innovators from member countries.

Xi Takes Aim at Western Hegemony

During the summit, Beijing also called for a more inclusive rules-based international order in which global rules are shaped by all countries rather than a select group of powers.

In an apparent reference to Western dominance, Xi said the approach of “might makes right” should be rejected. He urged Global South countries to jointly uphold sovereign equality, international law, non-interference in the internal affairs of states and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Xi further stressed that international rules should be applied equally to all countries, without double standards, as BRICS seeks to strengthen its role as a platform representing the interests of the wider Global South.