Chinese President Xi Jinping made a powerful appeal on Thursday at the BRICS Plus leaders' dialogue, urging member nations to prioritize peace, common security, and shared development.
BRICS Plus, an expansion of the BRICS alliance, includes more emerging economies and developing countries, aiming to enhance collaboration in trade, finance, and development sectors. Xi highlighted the unprecedented rise of the Global South as a defining element of the world's transformation.
Addressing the challenges that peace and development currently face, Xi emphasized the importance of collective wisdom and strength among BRICS Plus nations to build a community with a shared future for mankind. He called for the formation of a stabilizing force for peace, stronger global security governance, and innovative solutions to address both the symptoms and root causes of global hotspots.
Under his Global Security Initiative, significant progress has been made, including the joint six-point consensus with Brazil and the establishment of the Friends for Peace group addressing the Ukraine crisis alongside other Global South countries. Xi also underscored the importance of early de-escalation efforts to pave the way for political settlements in conflict zones.
Highlighting recent strides towards Middle East peace, Xi noted the reconciliation of Palestinian factions in Beijing as a pivotal step. He advocated for a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza, the revival of the two-state solution, and the prevention of conflict escalation in Lebanon.
Focusing on economic development, Xi called on BRICS Plus countries to drive common prosperity and lead global economic governance reforms. His Global Development Initiative has already mobilized nearly $20 billion in development funds and launched over 1,100 projects. Additionally, new advancements such as the Global Alliance on Artificial Intelligence for Industry and Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Shanghai and the upcoming World Smart Customs Community Portal reflect China's commitment to innovation and collaboration.
Emphasizing cultural diversity, Xi introduced the Global Civilization Initiative to foster harmony among civilizations and support modernization paths tailored to each nation's unique conditions. The formation of the Global South Think Tanks Alliance aims to enhance people-to-people exchanges and governance experience-sharing.
Looking ahead, Xi affirmed China's enduring commitment to the Global South, stating that China will continue to support more countries in joining BRICS, whether as full members, partners, or through the BRICS Plus format. This collaboration is envisioned to harness the collective strength of the Global South in building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
