[Xi Jinping attended the first phase of the 18th BRICS Summit and delivered an important speech] On the afternoon of September 12, local time, President Xi Jinping attended the first phase of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Xi Jinping delivered an important speech entitled "Share the Responsibility of the Times and Be the Pioneer". Xi Jinping pointed out that this year marks the 20th anniversary of cooperation among BRICS countries. Over the past 20 years, the BRICS cooperation mechanism has continued to grow and develop, showing great vitality and becoming the most influential cooperation platform for emerging markets and developing countries in the world today. This is 20 years of self-reliance and self-reliance. The BRICS countries have actively explored development paths that suit their own national conditions and have become a model for emerging markets and developing countries to unite and strengthen themselves. This has been 20 years of standing together through thick and thin. BRICS countries work together to respond to challenges such as the international financial crisis, the COVID-19 epidemic, and climate change, firmly safeguard the common interests of the global South, and provide stability and positive energy to the world. This has been a fruitful 20 years. The BRICS countries have achieved a historic expansion of membership, established an all-round and multi-level cooperation structure, and entered a new stage of high-quality development of "Greater BRICS Cooperation". Xi Jinping emphasized that at present, the world's changes that have occurred over the past century are accelerating, the global South is growing rapidly, and the multipolarity of the world is unstoppable. At the same time, unilateralism and power politics are surging against the current, multilateralism and the international order are under attack, and the peace deficit, development deficit, security deficit, and governance deficit continue to increase. The BRICS countries must stand firmly on the right side of history, bravely be the vanguard of the times, lead the international order in a more just and reasonable direction, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind. First, we should be a pioneer in promoting innovation and development. Firmly seize the initiative, strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, encourage open source, open cooperation and sharing, and promote pragmatic cooperation to move forward in new directions and reach higher levels. BRICS countries are welcome to actively participate in the World Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence. China has proposed the BRICS initiative on artificial intelligence to empower new industrialization, and is willing to work with all parties to create more research and development and application results and deepen cooperation in the industrial and supply chains. Second, we must be a vanguard in maintaining peace and stability. We uphold a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, oppose the Cold War mentality and camp confrontation, oppose infringement of other countries' sovereignty and interference in other countries' internal affairs, constructively participate in the resolution of hot-spot issues, and make unique contributions to the search for solutions to both symptoms and root causes. China is willing to work with BRICS members to play its due role in realizing peace and tranquility in the Middle East and Gulf region. Third, we should be a pioneer in promoting mutual learning among civilizations. Carry forward the common values ​​of all mankind and advocate exchanges, mutual learning, harmony and symbiosis among civilizations. We should run the BRICS people-to-people and cultural exchange forum well, share experience in state governance, and gather positive energy for the stable development of state-to-state relations. Deepen cooperation in culture, tourism, education, etc., strengthen youth exchanges, and promote people to come and know each other frequently. Fourth, we must be a pioneer in reforming and improving global governance. In line with the general trend of democratization in international relations, we should promote the construction of a more fair and reasonable global governance system and safeguard the authority of the United Nations. We support the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization as its core and resist all forms of protectionist measures. Lead the global governance of new frontiers such as the Internet, outer space, and the deep sea, and enhance the voice of countries in the global South. Xi Jinping emphasized that over the past two decades, unity and cooperation have always been the source of strength for the development of the BRICS cause. We must insist on being candid with each other, seeking common ground while reserving differences, respecting each other's core concerns, enhancing mutual understanding through communication and dialogue, properly handling conflicts and differences, and ensuring the steady and long-term development of BRICS cooperation. China will take over the chairmanship of BRICS next year and host the 19th BRICS leaders’ meeting. China is willing to work with all parties to build consensus, create a future, open the third "golden decade" of BRICS cooperation, and create a bright future for prosperity and progress. Cai Qi, Wang Yi and others participated. (Xinhua News Agency)