BEIJING | Xinhua – As Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders convene in Kazan, Russia, for the 16th BRICS summit, the global focus is on the evolving international partnership and its potential to address pressing global challenges while promoting self-development.
A steadfast advocate for BRICS cooperation, Xi has often likened its five founding members to the fingers of a hand—individually weak but collectively strong. With last year's expansion, this metaphor gains even greater significance, reflecting a larger and more powerful coalition poised to impact global governance.
In this era of upheaval and change, Xi, as the leader of the largest developing nation, aims to guide BRICS—representing the Global South—towards a more prominent role in fostering a better future for all.
GOLDEN VALUE
BRICS, which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is referred to as “gold bricks” in Chinese, symbolizing its vast potential and promising future. This optimistic outlook has been a cornerstone of Xi’s engagement with BRICS, which he has consistently prioritized within China's foreign policy. His first appearance on the international stage as head of state was at the 2013 BRICS summit in Durban, South Africa, and he visited all other BRICS nations in the first two years of his presidency.
“China, under President Xi Jinping, has significantly contributed to BRICS' success,” noted Bunn Nagara, a senior researcher in Malaysia.
Thanks to collaborative efforts, BRICS’ share of global GDP increased from 18% in 2010 to about 26% in 2021, showcasing continuous growth. This success stems from a focus on tangible results. As Xi has stated, “BRICS is not a talking shop, but a task force that gets things done.”
Practical cooperation has been foundational to BRICS, exemplified by the establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB). By the end of 2023, the NDB had approved 105 projects across member countries, totaling approximately $35 billion.
Recognizing evolving needs, Xi advocated for cultural and people-to-people exchanges during the 2017 summit in Xiamen, enhancing ties among member states and strengthening the BRICS framework.
With political, economic, and cultural collaboration as its pillars, BRICS has garnered substantial progress and popular support, distinguishing itself as an innovative model of international cooperation amid protectionist tendencies in the West.
Xi has emphasized that BRICS transcends traditional political and military alliances, advocating for an inclusive approach free from ideological divisions and zero-sum thinking.
GREATER BRICS
On August 24, 2023, applause filled the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg as BRICS announced its historic expansion. Xi described this as a testament to the unity among BRICS nations and the broader developing world.
Openness and inclusiveness have been cornerstones of BRICS since its inception. Xi has consistently stressed that BRICS is not an exclusive club. “A tree cannot make a forest,” he noted at the Durban summit, promoting a spirit of collaboration.
This inclusive philosophy has led to a tradition of inviting leaders from other countries to BRICS summits. In 2017, Xi introduced the “BRICS Plus” initiative to encourage greater participation from emerging markets and developing nations.
Xiamen, where Xi began his political career, has become a hub for BRICS partnership in innovation and industrial development.
In a rapidly changing global landscape, Xi has remained committed to promoting openness and cooperation. “In the current context, it is increasingly vital for BRICS nations to pursue development with open doors,” he stated at the 14th BRICS summit in 2022.
A year later, over 60 countries attended the BRICS summit, which Xi described as an opportunity to expand peace and development frameworks rather than a call for sides to be taken.
Following the recent expansion, over 30 nations have formally applied to join BRICS, with many more seeking deeper cooperation. “These countries see potential and opportunities within BRICS,” remarked Mekhri Aliev, a board director at the BRICS innovation base in Xiamen.
BIGGER VOICE
Three months after the decision to expand, BRICS held an extraordinary joint summit addressing the Gaza situation, a significant first for the group. Xi characterized this meeting as a promising start for enhanced cooperation following the expansion.
As noted by analysts, the growing assertiveness of BRICS reflects a desire among Global South countries for a greater voice in a world often dominated by Western powers.
BRICS has emerged as a key player in shaping a more equitable international order, consistently echoing Xi’s vision for global governance reform. “Effective coordination among BRICS and other Global South countries adds bricks to the global governance architecture,” said Wang Lei from Beijing Normal University.
The NDB embodies this reformative effort, offering a valuable complement to the existing financial system and prompting deeper reflections on global financial reforms.
During a meeting with former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, now NDB chief, Xi expressed a vision for BRICS that includes all developing nations, ensuring broad representation.
As Xi noted, strengthening global governance is essential for sharing development opportunities and tackling worldwide challenges.
“Economically, non-Western nations, with BRICS leading the way, are reshaping the global landscape,” observed investment expert Jeff D. Opdyke.
Guan Zhaoyu, a research fellow at Renmin University of China, emphasized that BRICS cooperation is not aimed at opposing the West but at constructively reforming the global order to provide greater opportunities for developing nations.
Xi has consistently affirmed that development is a fundamental right for all countries, not a privilege reserved for a select few. In his vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China is committed to partnering with other developing nations to advance their modernization.
“President Xi’s message is clear: China will unite with emerging markets and developing countries to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of global modernization,” Guan concluded.
