Xi's initiatives on "greater BRICS" cooperation resonate with Global South agenda: African journalist

The five initiatives on "greater BRICS" cooperation proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, address key priorities shared by countries across the Global South, said an African journalist.

The two-day BRICS summit concluded on Sunday. On the second day of the event, Xi proposed five initiatives in areas of AI, trade and investment facilitation, digital industry, smart manufacturing, and talent development, noting that "greater BRICS" should leverage strengths in being rooted in emerging markets and connected with the Global South, uphold openness and cooperation for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, keep industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, and foster integrated markets, Xi said.

Xi also noted that "greater BRICS" should build innovation incubators, upgrade traditional industries, develop emerging industries, and make forward-looking plans for future industries, so that emerging technologies can illuminate the path toward common prosperity.

Speaking in an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN) on the sidelines of the summit, Vasilisa Kharasakhal, an international correspondent for Sputnik Africa, highlighted the importance of AI cooperation to the growth of BRICS member countries and the world economy at large.

"I think that all the themes are really significant. This is like key topic for every country across the whole Global South. Speaking more concretely, I think that this is for example, AI cooperation. [In the] New Delhi declaration, there are also a lot of points dedicated to the technology, to the AI cooperation. And of course, they are all useful for the whole African continent, for the growth of the Global South, for the whole world," she said.

Marking its 20th anniversary this year, the BRICS was initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China, later expanding with the addition of South Africa. Today, the bloc has expanded to 11 member countries and 10 partner countries.

In his address at the event on Saturday, Xi said the BRICS has now become the world's most influential platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries.

Xi's initiatives on "greater BRICS" cooperation resonate with Global South agenda: African journalist

Giant panda Lang Yue safely arrived in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan in southwest China, on Saturday morning, after departing from Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen, the Netherlands.

The panda was then sent to the Ya'an base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where it will undergo at least 30 days of quarantine.

Lang Yue is the second cub born to giant pandas Wu Wen and Xing Ya, who were leased to the Netherlands in April 2017, marking the official start of China-Netherlands giant panda conservation and research cooperation. Through this partnership, the two countries have achieved positive results in panda rearing, scientific research, technical exchanges and public education.

Wu Wen and Xing Ya successfully delivered and raised two female cubs in the Netherlands -- Fan Xing, born in May 2020 and Lang Yue, born in July 2024. Fan Xing returned to China in September 2023.

The Ya'an base has prepared enclosures, feed and other quarantine support for Lang Yue. Keepers will closely monitor its health condition throughout the quarantine period and help her get adapted to life in its new home as soon as possible.

Netherlands-born giant panda returns to China