Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called on BRICS Plus nations to strive for common security, shared development, and harmony among civilizations. Addressing the BRICS Plus leaders’ dialogue, President Xi emphasized the importance of collective efforts in building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Highlighting the rising prominence of the Global South, Xi stated that the unified march toward modernization by these countries is monumental in world history. He acknowledged the severe challenges to peace and development, urging BRICS Plus countries to use their collective wisdom and strength to overcome obstacles.
“We should uphold peace and strive for common security,” Xi said. He called on nations to become a stabilizing force for global peace, strengthen security governance, and seek solutions to address both the symptoms and roots of ongoing conflicts.
President Xi mentioned the positive responses to the Global Security Initiative he proposed, noting significant progress in maintaining regional stability. He highlighted China and Brazil’s joint issuance of a six-point consensus and the formation of the Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis alongside other Global South countries. Xi urged for efforts to promote early de-escalation to pave the way for a political settlement.
Referring to peace efforts in the Middle East, Xi noted that Palestinian factions reconciled in Beijing last July, marking a key step toward regional peace. “We should continue to promote a comprehensive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and revive the two-state solution,” he stressed. “We must stop the flames of war from spreading in Lebanon and end the miserable suffering in Palestine and Lebanon.”
On development, Xi underscored that the Global South emerges and prospers through development. He called on BRICS Plus countries to reinvigorate development and strive for common prosperity, playing an active role in global economic governance reform and prioritizing development in international economic and trade agendas.
He highlighted the achievements of the Global Development Initiative over the past three years, which has facilitated nearly $20 billion in development funds and launched over 1,100 projects. Additionally, he mentioned the recent establishment of the Global Alliance on Artificial Intelligence for Industry and Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Shanghai.
“China will build a World Smart Customs Community Portal and a BRICS Customs Center of Excellence,” Xi announced, welcoming active participation from all countries.
Emphasizing the diversity of civilizations, Xi called for promoting harmony among them. He urged BRICS Plus nations to advocate for exchanges among civilizations, enhance communication, and support each other’s paths to modernization suited to their national conditions.
He mentioned the Global Civilization Initiative aimed at building a garden of world civilizations where the beauty of each can be shared and admired. Xi announced China’s coordination with others to form a Global South Think Tanks Alliance to promote people-to-people exchanges and governance experience-sharing.
President Xi reiterated China’s commitment to the Global South, regardless of international changes. “We in China will always keep the Global South in our heart and maintain our roots in the Global South,” he affirmed.
He expressed support for more Global South countries joining BRICS as full members, partner countries, or in the BRICS Plus format. “We can combine the great strength of the Global South to build together a community with a shared future for mankind,” Xi concluded.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
