China expands global influence through BRICS and Belt and Road Initiative

China is advancing its strategic partnerships through the BRICS mechanism and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). During the 18th BRICS Summit, President Xi Jinping emphasized strengthening practical cooperation to empower the Global South. Key achievements include the New Development Bank, which has approved 139 projects totaling approximately $43 billion, and the establishment of innovation bases for the new industrial revolution.

Parallel to BRICS, the Belt and Road Initiative continues to expand into green, digital, and innovative sectors. Recent developments include the implementation of Chinese smart weather warning systems in Chile, the use of AI and industrial robotics in Malaysian manufacturing, and the expansion of the China-Europe Railway Express, which has seen a 17.6% increase in trips during the first seven months of the year. The initiative now involves over 150 countries and 30 international organizations, focusing on infrastructure, trade, and high-tech integration.