Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a fairer international order, rejecting the idea that powerful countries should dictate global affairs simply because they possess greater economic, military or political strength.
Speaking at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12, 2026, Xi Jinping urged BRICS countries and the broader Global South to defend international law, strengthen multilateralism and promote greater equality among nations.
His message came at a time when geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, military conflicts and debates over the future of global governance are putting pressure on the existing international system.
Xi argued that the logic of “might makes right” should have no place in international relations and stressed that countries should be treated as equal members of the global community regardless of their size, strength or wealth.
But what does this message actually mean—and could BRICS play a bigger role in changing how global power is distributed?
What Did Xi Jinping Say at the BRICS Summit?
Addressing BRICS leaders in New Delhi, Xi called on the bloc to stand on the side of international law and push the global order toward greater fairness and equality.
He argued that international affairs should not be determined by the relative strength of individual countries.
According to the Chinese government’s published transcript of his remarks, Xi said BRICS should help steer the international order toward a “more just and equitable” direction and work toward a shared future for humanity.
The statement reflects a broader Chinese position that international institutions should give developing and emerging economies a stronger voice.
It also aligns with the 2026 BRICS New Delhi Declaration, which reaffirmed principles including sovereign equality, mutual respect, inclusiveness, multilateralism and international law.
The central message was simple:
No country should be able to decide what is right simply because it is more powerful.
What Does “Might Makes Right” Mean in Global Politics?
The phrase “might makes right” describes the idea that power itself can determine what is considered legitimate or acceptable.
In international politics, this can take different forms.
A powerful country may have:
- A larger military
- A stronger economy
- Greater diplomatic influence
- Control over critical technologies
- Greater influence over international institutions
- Significant control over trade or financial systems
The concern is that countries with less power may have fewer practical options when major powers make decisions affecting them.
Xi’s argument is that international relations should instead be governed by rules, dialogue, sovereignty and cooperation rather than raw power.
That principle is closely connected to the BRICS emphasis on a more multipolar world.
Why Is Xi’s Message Important Now?
The timing is significant.
The international system is facing multiple overlapping challenges—from armed conflicts and trade restrictions to supply-chain disruptions, technological competition and debates over the future of global institutions.
The 2026 BRICS summit declaration itself highlighted geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, protectionist measures, technological change and climate-related challenges as major issues facing the international community.
Against this backdrop, Xi’s call for greater equality among nations is not simply a philosophical statement.
It is also part of a larger debate over who gets to shape the rules of the global system.
BRICS Wants a Bigger Voice for the Global South
BRICS has increasingly positioned itself as a platform through which emerging economies and developing countries can coordinate their interests.
The bloc has expanded beyond its original members—Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—to include countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
Reuters reported that the expanded grouping represents more than 40% of the world’s population and around a quarter of the global economy.
That gives BRICS considerable potential influence.
But its members also have very different political systems, economic interests and foreign-policy priorities.
This makes one question particularly important:
Can countries with such different interests actually work together to reshape global governance?
Xi Calls for a Stronger Role for Developing Countries
One of the central themes of Xi’s BRICS message was greater representation for the Global South.
The New Delhi Declaration similarly called for more meaningful participation by emerging markets and developing countries in international decision-making structures.
This includes calls for greater representation in organizations such as the United Nations and other international institutions.
For developing countries, the issue is not simply about symbolism.
Greater representation can influence decisions involving:
- International finance
- Trade
- Climate policy
- Technology
- Development funding
- Global security
- Health emergencies
- Artificial intelligence
The argument is that institutions created decades ago should better reflect today’s economic and demographic realities.
Is Xi Calling for the End of the Existing Global Order?
Not exactly.
Xi’s remarks should not necessarily be interpreted as a call to dismantle the entire international system.
Instead, China is advocating for reform and greater representation within global governance.
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration called for a more representative and effective multilateral system while reaffirming the central role of the United Nations and the principles of the UN Charter.
This distinction matters.
The debate is increasingly less about whether global institutions should exist and more about:
Who gets a meaningful voice inside them?
Why the United Nations Is Part of the Conversation
The UN remains the central institution for international diplomacy, but questions about representation have become increasingly prominent.
BRICS countries argue that the global political and economic system has changed dramatically since many existing institutions were designed.
Emerging economies now account for a much larger share of global economic activity and population.
Yet representation in some international decision-making structures has not always kept pace with those changes.
The BRICS declaration therefore called for reforms designed to make international governance more representative, legitimate and responsive to contemporary realities.
India and China: Cooperation Despite Competition
Xi’s comments also came during a particularly notable moment in India-China relations.
Xi met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi.
The two countries have significant economic ties but have also faced serious strategic tensions, particularly over their disputed border.
The meeting focused on improving bilateral relations, managing differences and expanding cooperation, according to reporting from the Associated Press.
This creates an interesting geopolitical dynamic.
India and China can compete in some areas while cooperating in others.
And BRICS provides a platform where countries with significant disagreements can still discuss broader global issues.
That may be one of the organization’s biggest strengths.
Xi Also Pushed for Greater BRICS Cooperation on AI
Xi’s BRICS message was not limited to geopolitics.
He also highlighted technology and artificial intelligence as areas where emerging economies should cooperate.
In his summit remarks, Xi called for greater cooperation on AI, including open-source approaches and technology sharing, particularly involving countries in the Global South.
China also proposed an AI-focused cooperation initiative within BRICS.
This is significant because the future of AI is becoming a major geopolitical issue.
Countries are increasingly competing over:
- Advanced chips
- AI models
- Data
- Computing infrastructure
- Robotics
- Semiconductor manufacturing
- AI standards
- Digital governance
For developing countries, access to these technologies could significantly affect future economic growth.
Can BRICS Really Create a More Equal World?
This is where the debate becomes complicated.
BRICS has growing economic and political influence, but the organization is not a traditional military or political alliance.
Its members have very different interests.
India and China have strategic competition.
Russia and China have deepening ties but different economic priorities.
Middle Eastern members have their own regional interests.
Brazil and South Africa have different foreign-policy priorities from Asian powers.
So while BRICS can agree on broad principles, translating those principles into coordinated action may be difficult.
The real test is implementation.
It is relatively easy for countries to agree that international relations should be fair.
It is much harder to agree on:
Who writes the rules?
Who enforces them?
Who pays for global initiatives?
How should disputes be resolved?
How much power should individual countries have?
These questions will determine whether BRICS becomes a stronger force in global governance or remains primarily a diplomatic platform.
Is “Might Makes Right” Really Disappearing?
Probably not.
Military and economic power will continue to influence international relations.
Countries with larger economies, advanced technologies, stronger militaries and greater diplomatic influence will naturally have more leverage.
The real question is whether that leverage should be unlimited.
International law is designed, at least in principle, to create rules that apply regardless of a country’s size.
But enforcing those rules can be difficult when powerful states disagree.
That is why Xi’s statement is likely to generate debate.
It presents an ideal of sovereign equality—but the reality of international politics remains heavily influenced by power.
The Bigger Battle: Power vs. Rules
The debate surrounding Xi’s comments can ultimately be reduced to two competing visions.
The power-based approach
Countries with greater military, economic or technological capabilities have greater influence.
The rules-based approach
Countries should resolve disputes through international law, institutions and negotiation, regardless of their relative power.
In reality, international politics has always contained elements of both.
But BRICS increasingly wants to strengthen the second approach while demanding greater representation for emerging economies.
What Could a More Multipolar World Look Like?
A multipolar world would not be dominated by one or two major powers.
Instead, influence would be distributed among several major centers.
These could include:
- North America
- Europe
- China
- India
- Russia
- Middle Eastern powers
- Emerging economies across Africa
- Latin America and Southeast Asia
Supporters argue that multipolarity could give more countries a voice.
Critics, however, may ask whether a more multipolar world automatically becomes a more peaceful or fairer one.
More centers of power could also mean more competition.
So the challenge is not simply creating a multipolar world.
It is creating a multipolar world with effective rules and mechanisms for cooperation.
What Does Xi’s Message Mean for the Global South?
For many developing countries, the attraction of BRICS is straightforward.
They want greater influence over decisions that affect their economies and societies.
Issues such as climate finance, development funding, technology access, trade rules and global financial institutions can have enormous consequences for developing economies.
Xi’s call for equal treatment fits directly into this broader demand.
The question is whether BRICS can convert that demand into concrete institutions, investments and policies.
Five Major Takeaways From Xi Jinping’s BRICS Message
1. Power Should Not Determine Global Justice
Xi explicitly rejected the principle that stronger countries should automatically have greater rights in international affairs.
2. BRICS Wants Greater Global Representation
The bloc is pushing for stronger participation of emerging and developing economies in international decision-making.
3. China Is Promoting a More Multipolar World
Xi’s vision places greater emphasis on multiple centers of global influence rather than a system dominated by a small number of powerful states.
4. Technology Is Becoming Part of BRICS Strategy
AI cooperation and technology access are increasingly important components of the bloc’s agenda.
5. The Biggest Challenge Is Turning Words Into Action
Calls for equality are significant, but the real test will be whether BRICS members can cooperate despite their own differences.
What Happens Next?
China is set to take over the BRICS chairmanship and host the next summit.
That gives Beijing an opportunity to turn some of the ideas discussed in New Delhi into practical initiatives.
The focus could include AI cooperation, trade, finance, development, supply chains and stronger coordination among Global South countries.
Whether that leads to a meaningful shift in global governance will depend on what BRICS countries actually accomplish.
For now, Xi’s message represents a clear argument:
Global power should not automatically translate into global authority.
And that is a debate that extends far beyond BRICS.
🌍 What Do You Think?
Xi Jinping says the world should reject “might makes right” and treat all nations as equal members of the global community.
But can international politics really work that way?
Which statement best reflects your view?
A. Yes — international law should apply equally to every country.
B. Powerful countries will always have greater influence.
C. BRICS can help create a more balanced global order.
D. A multipolar world could create new conflicts as well as new opportunities.
E. The idea sounds good, but implementation is the real challenge.
👇 Comment A, B, C, D or E—and explain why.
One final question:
If no country is supposed to be above international law, who should have the power to enforce those rules?
That may be the hardest question behind the entire debate.
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