Leaders of the BRICS countries are convening their first face-to-face gathering in the Russian city of Kazan, marking a historic expansion of the group from five members to ten in January.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Kazan on Tuesday for the 16th BRICS Summit. During the summit, President Xi will exchange views with other leaders on practical cooperation and the development of the BRICS mechanism for emerging economies, among other topics.
China’s Commitment to Win-Win Cooperation
China has consistently been a staunch supporter and active participant in the BRICS cooperation mechanism. Emphasizing win-win cooperation, China seeks mutual benefits with other members while upholding the spirit of openness and inclusiveness.
Since its founding, BRICS has pursued collaborative growth, with the Shanghai-headquartered New Development Bank (NDB) standing as a flagship project. As the first multilateral development bank established by emerging economies, the NDB provides financing support for infrastructure development, clean energy, environmental protection, and building cyberinfrastructure across BRICS countries. By the end of 2023, it had approved 105 projects in all member countries totaling approximately $35 billion.
“The NDB serves as a significant platform for international cooperation that transcends territorial boundaries, amplifying the voices of BRICS countries and representing the shared aspirations of other nations,” said Dilma Rousseff, president of the NDB, in a recent media interview.
China remains committed to deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with BRICS partners. In the first quarter of this year, trade between China and BRICS countries reached 1.49 trillion yuan (about $209.7 billion), an increase of 11.3 percent year on year, according to customs authorities.
Ronnie Lins, executive director of the Brazil-China Research and Business Center, noted, “China plays a crucial role in building consensus among BRICS countries, promoting coordination and cooperation, and advancing a common agenda.”
An Open and Inclusive BRICS
Openness and inclusiveness have been the abiding commitments of BRICS members since the mechanism’s inception. President Xi has repeatedly emphasized that BRICS countries do not gather in a closed club or an exclusive circle.
At a gathering in Xiamen in 2017, the Chinese leader introduced the “BRICS Plus” program, encouraging greater participation from emerging markets and developing nations.
On January 1, 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates joined BRICS, alongside Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, marking the official beginning of greater BRICS cooperation.
More than 30 nations have either formally applied for or expressed interest in membership, with many other developing countries seeking deeper collaboration with the group.
Speaking about the Kazan summit, Lin Jian, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, stated, “BRICS has become a positive and stable force for good in international affairs.”
He added, “China stands ready to work with other parties to strive for the steady and sustained development of greater BRICS cooperation, open a new era for the Global South to seek strength through solidarity, and jointly promote world peace and development.”
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
