On 6 July 2022, the 8th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting was held virtually in Beijing. Chaired by XIAO Yaqing, Minister of Industry and Information Technology of China, the Meeting was attended by South African Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Brazilian Deputy Minister of Communications Maximiliano Martinhão, Russian Federation Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Bella Cherkesova, Indian Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union ZHAO Houlin. 　

Minister XIAO said, President XI Jinping stressed at the XIV BRICS Summit that under the new circumstances, it is all the more important for BRICS countries to pursue development with open doors and boost cooperation with open arms, and pointed out that those who seize the opportunities of the new economy, such as big data and artificial intelligence, are in sync with the pulse of the times. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China looks forward to joining efforts with BRICS counterparts to implement the outcomes and consensus reached at the Summit, further consolidate the BRICS strategic partnership, deepen concrete cooperation on information and communication technologies (ICTs), and constantly strengthen institutional building, thus injecting strong impetus into high-quality BRICS development.

Minister XIAO stressed that the Chinese government has attached great importance to the development and application of ICTs, fully leveraging its strategic, fundamental and leading role. Efforts have been made to strengthen deployment of new information infrastructure such as 5G and data centers, accelerate innovative development of industrial Internet, and deepen integration of digital technologies with the real economy, thus empowering the transformation of traditional industries with emergence of new industries and business models. To promote people-centered development, the Chinese government is committed to providing accessible, affordable and high-quality information services for all. It is for the first time in the history that all administrative villages in China are covered with broadband network. China has been striving to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas and within regions, so that people could better enjoy digital life in a more equitable and inclusive manner.

Minister XIAO called for strengthened cooperation on the following priorities. First, to promote inclusive and enhanced connectivity among BRICS countries with accelerated development of ICT infrastructure as well as international submarine and terrestrial cables so as to make the benefits of digital development accessible to all. Second, to facilitate innovation-driven development through fostering an efficient and collaborative network for enterprises, academia and industries as well as an enabling ecosystem that benefits large enterprises and SMEs. It is encouraged to conduct joint research in areas such as 5G/6G, artificial intelligence, blockchain and quantum computing to unleash potentials for economic growth. Third, to empower digital, network-based and intelligent transformation of traditional industries to realize high-quality, cost-effective, green and safe development of the manufacturing sector. Fourth, to strengthen coordination under multilateral frameworks such as the International Telecommunication Union and explore the development of international rules on digital governance that reflect the views and respect the interests of all parties, in order to jointly create an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for digital development.

The communications ministers and head of international organization attending the Meeting appreciated the constructive role played by the Chinese presidency and welcomed the progress of BRICS ICT cooperation achieved this year. The Meeting conducted in-depth discussions on the theme of Deepening Cooperation on Stronger, Greener and Healthier Development by Using ICTs to Achieve 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and adopted the Declaration of the 8th BRICS Communications Ministers Meeting.

(Source:Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China)