As President Xi Jinping prepares to attend the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, the world is once again focusing on this vibrant international cooperation mechanism. Observers are keen to see how BRICS will further advance the development of emerging market countries and the Global South while tackling global challenges.
Xi has been a passionate advocate and driver of BRICS cooperation, famously likening the member nations to five fingers—each unique, but when united, forming a powerful fist. With the recent historic expansion of the BRICS family, this cooperation has become more robust.
The newly-expanded “Big BRICS” stands as a leading force within the Global South, shaping the international landscape. As the leader of one of the largest developing nations, Xi is poised to channel BRICS cooperation toward paving a better future for humanity.
The “gold content” of BRICS cooperation has undeniably increased. The mechanism emerged alongside a wave of rising emerging markets and developing nations, named from the initials of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and later South Africa—symbolizing a “brick.” Adding “gold” in Chinese signifies the invaluable contributions of this mechanism.
Xi is optimistic about the future of BRICS cooperation. He states, “Strengthening cooperation with BRICS countries has always been a priority in China’s foreign policy.” His first appearance on the international multilateral stage as China’s leader was at the 2013 BRICS Summit in Durban, South Africa, where he subsequently visited each member nation.
“Under President Xi’s leadership, China has made significant contributions to the success of BRICS cooperation,” noted Bonn Nagarala, a senior researcher at the Asia-Pacific Belt and Road Collaboration Forum. With the concerted efforts of the member countries, the “gold content” of BRICS has continued to increase, with their GDP share rising from 18% in 2010 to about 26% by 2022, according to World Bank data.
Xi has emphasized that “BRICS is not a mere talking shop; it is an action-oriented team.” A key factor in the success of BRICS is its pragmatism, exemplified by the establishment of the New Development Bank, which has approved 105 projects with a total investment of $35 billion as of the end of 2023.
In 2017, during the meeting in Xiamen, Xi and other BRICS leaders reached a vital consensus to establish cultural exchanges as a new pillar of cooperation, aiming to further enhance ties among the peoples of member nations. Over the years, BRICS has made substantial progress in three areas: political security, economic finance, and cultural exchanges.
Wang Lei, director of the BRICS Research Center at Beijing Normal University, believes that BRICS has unique value beyond economic ties, representing an innovative international cooperation framework that stands in stark contrast to the protectionist and exclusive nature of Western political, military, or economic alliances.
Xi has articulated that BRICS cooperation is a departure from old political and military alliances, forging new relationships based on partnership rather than division, and fostering a new pathway rooted in mutual respect and shared progress. He further pointed out that it transcends the win-lose mentality, advocating for a new concept of mutual benefits and win-win cooperation.
Despite claims from some Western observers predicting the decline of BRICS, the cooperation has proven resilient, even enhancing its international appeal in the face of such skepticism.
The road ahead for “Big BRICS Cooperation” began with historic expansion on August 24, 2023. The announcement of this expansion, which welcomed Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Iran, and Ethiopia, elicited cheers at the meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa. Xi remarked at the press conference that this expansion demonstrates BRICS countries’ determination to unify and cooperate with developing nations.
Xi has consistently championed an open and inclusive approach. Advocating for cooperation, he stressed that BRICS is not a closed club and that the member nations have invited leaders from other developing countries to join discussions. In 2017, he creatively introduced the “BRICS Plus” concept, encouraging more emerging economies and developing nations to engage with BRICS.
In response to the rapidly evolving global landscape, Xi has remained unwavering in his commitment to openness. At the 14th BRICS Summit in 2022, he emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “In the new situation, BRICS countries must open their doors wider for development and embrace cooperation.”
At the following summit in Johannesburg a year later, with representatives from over 50 countries, Xi clarified that the meeting was not about forcing nations to take sides but rather about fostering a peaceful development framework. Increasingly, many developing countries are pursuing partnerships with BRICS nations.
Mehri Aliyev, executive director of the Digital Economy Research Center within the New Industrial Revolution Partnership in Xiamen, remarked that countries are applying to join BRICS because they see its potential and the opportunities it offers for growth.
Following the historic expansion of BRICS three months later, President Xi attended a special video summit focused on the Israel-Palestine issue at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. This marked the first leadership meeting of the expanded BRICS. Xi expressed the importance of coordinating stances and taking action, setting a positive precedent for “Big BRICS Cooperation.”
Al Jazeera noted that major countries of the Global South are seeking greater influence in global affairs, reflecting the growing confidence among BRICS nations. Steven Gruzd of the South African Institute of International Affairs commented that the summit demonstrated the increasing assertiveness of BRICS countries, stating, “They are no longer waiting to follow Western dictates.”
With collaborative efforts, BRICS is emerging as a crucial force in shaping international dynamics and maintaining global stability, serving as a vital platform for emerging market nations and developing countries to strengthen unity and protect mutual interests. Wang Lei noted that effective coordination between BRICS countries and others in the Global South contributes significantly to improving global governance.
The New Development Bank exemplifies this collaborative effort. Xi highlighted that its establishment is a beneficial addition to the existing financial system and encourages deeper reflection and proactive reforms within the international financial framework.
According to Dilma Rousseff, the bank’s president and former Brazilian president, “The New Development Bank represents a significant international cooperation platform that transcends individual nations’ limitations, amplifying the voice of BRICS while also representing the shared vision of other relevant countries.”
Guanzhao Yu, a researcher at the Eurasian Research Institute at Renmin University, stated that BRICS cooperation is not anti-Western or aimed at overthrowing the existing global order. Instead, it seeks to constructively reform the unfair aspects of that order and provide more opportunities for developing countries.
Xi asserts that “development is an inalienable right of all nations, not a ‘patent’ of a select few.” He stresses that enhancing global governance is the right choice for the international community to share development opportunities and tackle global challenges.
In 2023, during a meeting with Rousseff in Beijing, Xi urged the New Development Bank to assist more developing nations in achieving modernization. Guided by his vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China remains committed to standing with developing countries, pursuing its growth while opening new avenues for cooperation, and jointly advancing modernization with nations from the Global South.
“China has always been a part of the Global South, forever aligned with developing countries,” Xi said during a video address marking the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
Guanzhao Yu concluded by stating, “President Xi has sent a clear message: China will unite with other emerging market nations and developing countries in the global modernization process, ensuring that no country is left behind.”
