Xi Emphasizes Unity and Consolidation Over Expansion in BRICS Summit
Xi's BRICS Summit Speech Signals Strategic Shift Amid Rising Trade Tensions
Chinese President Xi joined the BRICS online summit and addressed. Below are some of my personal thoughts after reading the whole piece:
From a textual structure perspective, the speech adopts the classic crisis-response discourse pattern of "situation assessment – response strategy – call for unity."
In his 2024 Kazan speech, Xi highlighted multiple cooperation mechanisms within BRICS and emphasized a more proactive stance, whereas this year's speech notably lacks proposals for cooperation in specific sectors. I believe that under mounting U.S. tariff pressure, China considers that existing BRICS mechanisms require greater coordination, implementation, and consolidation rather than continued expansion that might lead to overextension. Xi's emphasis on "deepen practical cooperation"（深化务实合作） and making "so as to strengthen the foundation, momentum and impact of greater BRICS cooperation and deliver more practical benefits to our peoples."（让“大金砖合作”基础更牢、动能更足、影响更大，更多更好惠及各国人民） demonstrates this focus on consolidating existing initiatives.
The frequent unity-related discourse throughout the speech reinforces this point, exemplified by the proverb "Strong wind tests the resilience of grass, and fierce fire reveals true gold."(疾风知劲草，烈火见真金) The "strong winds"(疾风) and "fierce fire"(烈火) allude to current external pressures and challenges, while "sturdy grass"(劲草) and "true gold"(真金) emphasize resilience and authenticity after being tested. This rhetorical pattern of emphasizing unity amid adversity stands in stark contrast to the forward-looking vision of "ascending heights for broader vistas, piercing through clouds and fog" from 2024. The speech positions BRICS countries as the "standing at the forefront of the Global South," compared to 2024's description as "the main channel for promoting Global South solidarity and cooperation." This may suggest BRICS has stronger representative authority for the "Global South," with greater emphasis on securing more voice and development space for developing countries.
Below is the full transcript published by the Chinese Mofa
Forging Ahead in Solidarity and Cooperation
Statement by H.E. Xi Jinping
President of the People’s Republic of China
At the Virtual BRICS Summit
September 8, 2025
Your Excellency President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,
Distinguished Colleagues,
It is very relevant that we BRICS leaders have this virtual summit today to discuss thoroughly the current international situation and issues of common interest.
今天，金砖国家领导人举行线上峰会，就当前国际形势和共同关心的问题深入交换意见，具有重要意义。
As we speak, transformation unseen in a century is accelerating across the world. Hegemonism, unilateralism, and protectionism are getting more and more rampant. Trade wars and tariff wars waged by some country severely disrupt the world economy and undermine international trade rules. At this critical juncture, BRICS countries, standing at the forefront of the Global South, should act on the BRICS Spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, jointly defend multilateralism and the multilateral trading system, advance greater BRICS cooperation, and build a community with a shared future for humanity. To this end, I wish to make three proposals.
当前，世界百年变局加速演进，霸权主义、单边主义、保护主义甚嚣尘上。个别国家接连发起贸易战、关税战，严重冲击世界经济，严重损害国际贸易规则。在这一重要关头，金砖国家作为全球南方第一方阵，要坚持弘扬开放包容、合作共赢的金砖精神，共同捍卫多边主义，维护多边贸易体制，推进“大金砖合作”，携手构建人类命运共同体。我提3点建议。
First, we should uphold multilateralism to defend international fairness and justice. History tells us that multilateralism is the shared aspiration of the people and the overarching trend of our time. It provides an important underpinning for world peace and development. The Global Governance Initiative that I proposed is aimed at galvanizing joint global action for a more just and equitable global governance system. We should follow the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, and safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, so as to cement the foundations of multilateralism. At the same time, we should actively promote greater democracy in international relations and increase the representation and voice of Global South countries. We should improve the global governance system through reform so as to fully mobilize resources from all quarters and tackle more effectively the common challenges for humanity.
第一，坚持多边主义，捍卫国际公平正义。历史昭示我们，多边主义是人心所向、大势所趋，是世界和平与发展的重要依靠。我提出全球治理倡议，旨在推动各国携手行动，构建更加公正合理的全球治理体系。我们要坚持共商共建共享，维护以联合国为核心的国际体系和以国际法为基础的国际秩序，夯实多边主义根基。同时，要积极推进国际关系民主化，提升全球南方国家的代表性和发言权。通过改革完善全球治理体系，充分调动各方资源，更好应对人类社会面临的共同挑战。
Second, we should uphold openness and win-win cooperation to safeguard the international economic and trade order. Economic globalization is an irresistible trend of history. Countries cannot thrive without an international environment of open cooperation, and no country can afford to retreat to self-imposed isolation. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, we must stay committed to building an open global economy, so as to share opportunities and achieve win-win outcomes in openness. We should uphold the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core and oppose all forms of protectionism. We should promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, place development at the heart of our international agenda, and ensure that Global South countries participate in international cooperation as equals and share in the fruits of development.
第二，坚持开放共赢，维护国际经贸秩序。经济全球化是不可阻挡的历史潮流。各国发展离不开开放合作的国际环境，谁也不能退回到自我封闭的孤岛。无论国际形势如何变化，我们都要坚定不移推动构建开放型世界经济，在开放中分享机遇、实现共赢。要维护以世界贸易组织为核心的多边贸易体制，抵制一切形式的保护主义。要倡导普惠包容的经济全球化，将发展置于国际议程的中心位置，让全球南方国家公平参与国际合作、共享发展成果。
Third, we should uphold solidarity and cooperation to foster synergy for common development. As a Chinese saying goes, “It takes a good blacksmith to forge good steel.” We can only cope with external challenges more effectively when we manage our own affairs well in the first place. BRICS countries account for nearly half of the world’s population, around 30 percent of global economic output, and one-fifth of global trade. We are also home to major natural resources, big manufacturers and vast markets. The more closely we work together, the more resilient, resourceful and effective we are in addressing external risks and challenges. China is ready to work with fellow BRICS countries to implement the Global Development Initiative and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. We should leverage our respective strengths, deepen practical cooperation, and make our business, financial, scientific and technological cooperation more productive, so as to strengthen the foundation, momentum and impact of greater BRICS cooperation and deliver more practical benefits to our peoples.
第三，坚持团结合作，凝聚共同发展合力。打铁必须自身硬。把自己的事办好了，才能更好应对外部挑战。金砖国家人口占世界近一半，经济总量约占世界30%，贸易总额占世界五分之一，集聚“大富矿”、“大工厂”、“大市场”。金砖国家合作越紧密，应对外部风险挑战的底气就越足、办法就越多、效果就越好。中方愿同其他金砖国家一道，落实全球发展倡议，推进高质量共建“一带一路”。我们要发挥各自优势，深化务实合作，在经贸、金融、科技等领域打造更多合作成果，让“大金砖合作”基础更牢、动能更足、影响更大，更多更好惠及各国人民。
Distinguished Colleagues,
Strong wind tests the resilience of grass, and fierce fire reveals true gold. As long as we step up to take our responsibilities and look out for each other, the giant ship of BRICS will brave the shifting international tides and sail far and steady.
Thank you.
各位同事！
疾风知劲草，烈火见真金。只要我们担当作为、守望相助，金砖这艘大船就一定能够经受住国际风云变幻的考验，始终行稳致远。
谢谢大家。