Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined new initiatives focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and trade at the Brics summit held in Delhi on September 13, 2026, signaling Beijing’s intent to deepen cooperation among member states and elevate the bloc’s role in global affairs.
During his address, Xi emphasized the importance of laying a “solid foundation for practical cooperation” within what he termed the “Greater Brics Initiative.” He urged the group’s members and partner countries to work together to maintain stable industrial and supply chains and to foster a more integrated market environment.
Among the key proposals, China plans to spearhead the creation of a Brics AI Open Source Zone aimed at encouraging collaboration on large language models, training initiatives, and the development of an open AI ecosystem. Additionally, Xi introduced the idea of a Brics Special Economic Zone partnership designed to enhance economic integration within the bloc. He also announced that China would host a Brics Service Trade Forum in 2027 to further promote trade and investment cooperation.
The announcements occur amid Brics’ ongoing efforts to expand its cooperation beyond economic and financial domains, increasingly engaging in political and security matters. This year, India holds the rotating Brics chairmanship, with China scheduled to assume the role in 2027.
Originally founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, Brics has since expanded to include 10 full members, adding Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates to the original five. The group also maintains partnerships with 10 additional countries: Cuba, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
China’s new initiatives reflect a strategic push to enhance collaboration within the expanded bloc and position Brics as a more influential actor on the global stage.