Xi pushes 'Greater BRICS' economic ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping presented plans on Sunday to deepen economic ties among the Greater BRICS emerging economies. The initiatives, which span AI, trade, and other areas, aim to strengthen the grouping's global influence. Xi addressed the leaders' annual summit in New Delhi, emphasizing the need for pragmatic cooperation and stability in industrial and supply chains.

China will spearhead the establishment of a BRICS AI Open Source Zone, promoting collaboration on large language models, AI training, and an open AI ecosystem. Additionally, China proposed a BRICS Special Economic Zone partnership and a BRICS Service Trade Forum next year to bolster trade and investment ties. China's AI companies are already producing world-leading open-source models, contrasting with the US trend of closed-door approaches.

The proposal underscores China's commitment to an inclusive AI ecosystem. The Greater BRICS initiative has since expanded to include Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates, broadening its reach to the Global South and challenging the U.S.-dominated order.