NEW DELHI, India, September 13, 2026 — Chinese President Xi Jinping has outlined four priorities he says should guide BRICS as the grouping seeks to strengthen its role in global governance and international economic cooperation.
Xi identified innovation-driven development, peace and stability, mutual learning among civilizations, and reform of global governance as key areas for advancing cooperation among BRICS countries.
He made the proposals during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, as leaders marked 20 years of BRICS cooperation.
BRICS, which began with Brazil, Russia, India and China before South Africa joined, has expanded in recent years to include other major emerging economies. The grouping has increasingly sought greater representation for developing countries in international economic and political institutions.
Addressing fellow leaders, Xi said BRICS should first become a pioneer in innovation-driven development, particularly as artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies reshape industries and the global economy.
He proposed a BRICS initiative on AI-empowered industrialization, saying China was prepared to work with other members to deepen research and development, technological applications and cooperation across industrial and supply chains.
Xi also pushed back against efforts to restrict economic and technological cooperation through decoupling and trade barriers.
“Facts will prove that decoupling and cutting off supply chains will not hold back our development process,” Xi said, arguing that restrictive approaches would instead deepen global divisions.
As his second priority, Xi called on BRICS countries to play a stronger role in promoting international peace and stability.
He said growing geopolitical tensions and conflicts were placing pressure on the international order and argued that the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter should be respected.
Xi pointed specifically to continuing instability in the Middle East, saying conflicts in the region have caused significant human and economic losses and run counter to the interests of the international community.
“BRICS should stand firm, uphold justice, and strive to put an end to conflicts and defend peace,” Xi said.
He urged member states to promote what he described as common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security while opposing Cold War thinking, bloc confrontation, interference in other countries’ internal affairs and violations of national sovereignty.
Xi said BRICS should also participate constructively in efforts to resolve international conflicts and address both their immediate effects and underlying causes.
The Chinese leader identified greater exchanges among civilizations as the third pillar of stronger BRICS cooperation.
Citing the cultural diversity of BRICS countries, Xi called for greater dialogue and mutual learning among member states and argued that differences in culture and civilization should be viewed as a source of strength rather than division.
He invoked a Chinese saying that “the beauty of a delicious soup lies in the blending of different flavors,” arguing that BRICS should promote inclusive coexistence among different civilizations.
Xi’s fourth proposal focused on reforming and improving global governance.
He called for a more representative international system that gives developing countries and the broader Global South a stronger voice in global decision-making.
Xi urged BRICS countries to uphold the authority of the United Nations and support the multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization.
He also called for WTO reform while opposing what he described as the abuse of tariffs and other protectionist measures.
“BRICS should align with the trend toward greater democracy in international relations [and] work toward a more just and equitable global governance system,” Xi said.
He further called for stronger BRICS participation in shaping international rules governing emerging and strategic areas, including cyberspace, outer space and the deep sea.
Xi said expanding the voice of Global South countries in international institutions should remain an important part of BRICS efforts to reform global governance.
The four proposals underscore China’s push for BRICS to assume a larger role in international economic and political affairs as the grouping expands its membership and seeks greater influence in institutions traditionally dominated by developed economies.
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