Discard 'might is right' policy, ensure rule-based world: Xi

New Delhi, Sept 13: Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a pragmatic message from the BRICS summit here of greater BRICS cooperation, a rules based world and a level playing field for all countries to write international rules while highlighting the collective rise of the Global South as a key driver of world multi polarity.

Speaking at Session II of the 18th BRICS summit on Sunday, President Xi emphasized that the logic of “might makes right” does not hold, and should have been discarded long ago. “ Let us work as one to promote greater BRICS cooperation and write a new chapter of strength through unity in the Global South! “

President Xi said, “All countries, regardless of their size, strength or wealth, are equal members of the international community. Global South countries should hold high the banner of multilateralism, uphold the authority and role of the United Nations, support multilateral institutions in advancing reform and increasing efficiency, and ensure the equal participation of all countries in international affairs. 

Global South countries should jointly defend the rule of law in international affairs, safeguard the basic norms of international relations including sovereign equality, non- interference in internal affairs, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, and ensure that international law and international rules are applied to all, free from double standards. Global South countries should jointly advance security governance and tackle both traditional and non- traditional security threats.

The Chinese President said that the international landscape is volatile and fraught with risks and challenges." To bring stability to the world and make it a better place, BRICS countries must seize the historical initiative, rally the Global South, be an active, stabilizing and positive force in international affairs, and advance the well-being of all humanity. A world without rules is like a crossroad without traffic lights, where chaos and disorder are all but guaranteed. Fairness and justice is a universal aspiration, and international rules must be written by all countries,'' he said.

President Xi called for efforts to ensure that the reform of the World Trade Organization proceeds in the right direction. "We should support the operation and development of the New Development Bank to facilitate Global South cooperation," he said while recommending reform and improvement of the international financial architecture to increase the representation and voice of developing countries.

The Chinese President further said that Global South countries should stay committed to the philosophy of people-centered development and strive to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

He said that China is opening its door ever wider to the world and will continue to share the opportunities of China's development with other countries.

President Xi suggested building incubators for innovation, upgrading traditional industries, developing emerging industries, and deploying future industries. He put forward five initiatives to accomplish this objective. He said that China will be a pioneer in establishing a BRICS AI open source community and build an open ecosystem for AI.

Apart from this, China proposes to establish a BRICS special economic zone partnership, start the digital industry cooperation initiative, the intelligent manufacturing cooperation initiative and the science and technology development initiative.

President Xi said that 2026 marks the launch of China's 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development.  " It is both a blueprint for China's development and a cooperation list for the rest of the world."

In a post on X, Mao Ning, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and Director General of the Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy, said that BRICS is a unifying force and catalyst for global development.

Mao put out a group photograph of the Chinese President with leaders of BRICS member States, partner countries, guest countries and heads of international organizations.