**Harnessing the Strength of the Global South to Foster a Community with a Shared Future**
**Remarks at the “BRICS Plus” Leaders’ Dialogue Meeting**
**(October 24, 2024, Kazan)**
**Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China**
President Putin, esteemed colleagues,
I would like to express my gratitude to President Putin and the Russian government for organizing this “BRICS Plus” Leaders’ Dialogue. I warmly welcome all the leaders present today and am delighted to gather with both new and old friends here in Kazan.
The rise of the “Global South” is a clear indicator of the significant changes taking place in the world. The shared journey of “Global South” countries toward modernization is a monumental event in human history, and it represents an unprecedented achievement within our civilization’s progress. However, we must acknowledge that both global peace and development face serious challenges, and the path to revitalizing the “Global South” is bound to be fraught with difficulties. As leading members of the “Global South,” we must demonstrate our collective wisdom and strength, and take on the responsibility of constructing a community with a shared future.
First, we must uphold peace and achieve common security. We aim to be a stabilizing force for peace, enhancing global security governance, and exploring comprehensive solutions to pressing regional issues. I have proposed a global security initiative, which has been met with positive responses from various parties and has already yielded important results in maintaining regional stability. China and Brazil have jointly released a “Six-Point Consensus” and, along with other “Global South” countries, initiated a “Friends of Peace” group concerning the Ukraine crisis. We must work towards easing the situation and paving the way for a political resolution. Just this July, Palestinian factions reached a consensus in Beijing, marking a significant step towards peace in the Middle East. We must continue to push for a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza, revive the two-state solution, and prevent the spread of conflict in Lebanon, ensuring that no more suffering befalls the people of Palestine and Lebanon.
Second, we should rejuvenate development and achieve common prosperity. The “Global South” rises through development, thriving on it. We endeavor to be the backbone of collective development, actively participating in and leading reforms of the global economic governance system, and positioning development at the center of the international economic agenda. Over the past three years, the Global Development Initiative has mobilized nearly $20 billion in development funds and initiated over 1,100 projects. The Global Industrial Artificial Intelligence Alliance’s Excellence Center has recently established its presence in Shanghai. Furthermore, China plans to create an online cooperation platform for “Smart Customs” and a demonstration center for customs within BRICS countries, inviting participation from all nations.
Third, we need to prosper civilizations and achieve harmonious diversity. The diversity of civilizations is the essence of our world. We aspire to be a promoting force for mutual cultural learning, enhancing communication and dialogue, and supporting each country in charting its own path toward modernization that fits its unique context. My proposal for a Global Civilization Initiative aims to foster a beautiful and harmonious world civilization. China will lead the establishment of a “Global South” Think Tank Cooperation Alliance to promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning in governance among nations.
Dear colleagues,
The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has outlined a systematic approach for further deepening reforms and advancing Chinese-style modernization, which will undoubtedly offer more opportunities globally. Last month, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation successfully took place, announcing ten major partnership initiatives for joint modernization, injecting new momentum into the “Global South’s” modernization efforts.
Regardless of how international circumstances evolve, China will always be committed to the “Global South,” firmly rooted within it. We support the inclusion of more “Global South” nations as formal members, partner countries, and participants in the “BRICS Plus” framework, uniting the tremendous strength of the “Global South” to collectively advance the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Thank you all!