New Delhi, Sept. 13 (SANA)Chinese PresidentXi Jinpingproposed five initiatives to strengthen BRICS cooperation in artificial intelligence, trade and investment facilitation, the digital industry, smart manufacturing and talent development.

Speaking on the second day of the 18thBRICSSummit in New Delhi on Sunday, Xi said China’s 15th Five-Year Plan would guide the country’s own development while creating opportunities for cooperation with countries around the world, China’s Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xi said China would continue pursuing high-quality development and high-standard opening-up, implementing the Global Development Initiative, promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and sharing development opportunities with other countries to achieve common prosperity.

He said BRICS cooperation had become an influential platform for emerging markets and developing countries, calling on members to strengthen practical cooperation in industrial and supply chains, trade and investment, and emerging technologies.

Xi proposed establishing a BRICS Artificial Intelligence Open Source Zone to promote cooperation on large language models, AI training and an open AI ecosystem.

He also proposed a BRICS Special Economic Zone partnership and said China would host a BRICS Service Trade Forum to boost trade and investment ties among member states.

Xi called on BRICS countries to maintain stable industrial and supply chains and work toward building a more integrated market.

The 18th BRICS Summit opened in New Delhi on Saturday with the participation of leaders from member states including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

Together, the countries account for more than 40% of the world’s population and around a quarter of the global economy.

The grouping has expanded beyond its original members of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, while partner countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East have also joined its wider framework.

Xi said the growing participation in BRICS reflected international interest in the grouping and its role in promoting cooperation among developing economies.

The summit also took place amid heightened tensions in theMiddle East, with BRICS leaders seeking consensus on regional developments.

In a joint statement, BRICS countries called for maximum restraint and urged all parties to avoid actions that could further escalate tensions in the Middle East and West Asia.

The statement expressed concern over continued escalation in the region and stressed the need to protect civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities.