China boosts BRICS cooperation in emerging industries

The Ninth Meeting of the BRICS Industry Ministers held in Brasilia, Brazil earlier this month. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

China is willing to strengthen cooperation with BRICS members in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing and biopharmaceuticals, while prioritizing green technology partnerships in renewable energy domains including electric vehicles, solar and hydrogen power, said the country's top industry regulator.

Chinese vice-minister of industry and information technology Xiong Jijun said at the Ninth Meeting of the BRICS Industry Ministers held in Brasilia, Brazil earlier this month that AI is a "transformative force reshaping global progress".

Emphasizing the strategic alignment of BRICS nations which include Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, Xiong called for deepened collaboration to harness AI's potential while addressing its challenges.

Furthermore, Xiong proposed a multilateral framework centered on innovation, ecosystem development and ethical governance. The plan advocates establishing a BRICS-wide AI research mechanism to unite enterprises and academic institutions in tackling industrial applications and accelerating commercialization of emerging technologies. Parallel efforts would focus on building open infrastructure, including a shared AI data platform and cross-border open-source communities, to dismantle barriers to technological exchange.

Addressing growing global concerns over AI ethics, the vice minister stressed the urgency of harmonizing standards across BRICS nations. He emphasized collaborative efforts to shape international norms for AI safety and ethics, positioning the bloc as a proactive contributor to global governance frameworks.

Reflecting on progress since the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution was put forward in 2018, Xiong outlined strategies to future-proof economic cooperation. The proposals spotlighted emerging sectors such as smart manufacturing and biopharmaceuticals as key growth frontiers, while prioritizing green technology partnerships in renewable energy domains including electric vehicles, solar and hydrogen power.