Xi and Putin hail 'new era' at pivotal BRICS summit
"At present, the world is going through changes unseen in a hundred years, the international situation is intertwined with chaos. But I firmly believe that the friendship between China and Russia will continue for generations, and great countries’ responsibility to their people will not change," said Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the BRICS summit in Kazan.
On Tuesday in Kazan, the capital of Russia's Tatarstan, the 16th annual three-day BRICS summit commenced under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, who aims to demonstrate that the Kremlin isn't isolated on the international stage. According to experts, this bloc is an attempt, mainly by Russia and China, to establish an alternative order to the West.
Xi Jinping met with Vladimir Putin. The leaders declared that a "new era" had dawned in their countries' relations. The Russian president called the Chinese leader a "dear friend." He also stated that "Russian-Chinese cooperation in world affairs is one of the main stabilising factors on the world stage."
"We intend to further enhance coordination on all multilateral platforms in order to ensure global security and a just world order," he added.
Xi declared that the cooperation of BRICS countries is "the most important platform for solidarity and cooperation between emerging market countries and developing countries in the world today." He also regarded BRICS as a force working towards realizing an "equal and orderly" multipolar global policy and "inclusive and tolerant" globalization.
The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, also met with Putin. He described Russia as a "valuable friend" and "important ally." He noted that Moscow has supported South Africans' struggle against apartheid "from the beginning."
He added that he is "very happy" to be in Russia and to discuss "political issues, trade, climate change, peace, and security" with BRICS leaders. Putin stated that the relations between South Africa and Russia "are based on the principles of a comprehensive strategic partnership."
They account for one-third of the world's GDP
Among the official goals of BRICS are the creation of a new monetary system and the reform of the UN. Before the summit in Kazan, there were reports that China intended to present an "alternative world order" there. The bloc includes countries whose combined income exceeds one-third of the world's GDP and is home to 45% of the Earth’s population. In 2020, the GDP of BRICS nations surpassed the economic growth of G7 countries.
The acronym BRIC (the S was added later) was coined by British economist Terence James O'Neill in 2001 when he published an article about the emerging economies of developing countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China). Two years later, the name gained popularity due to reports suggesting that by the middle of the 21st century, these countries would be global economic powers.
2006 during a debate at the UN General Assembly, the foreign ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, and China met, beginning a series of high-level contacts. The bloc's official establishment is considered the summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in June 2009. Since then, meetings of the heads of state of BRICS have been held annually. In addition, regular meetings are held for the heads of various ministries of the associated countries (economy, foreign affairs, etc.).
Who wants to join
Some sources say more than 30 countries have expressed interest in joining the bloc. Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Turkey, and Belarus have submitted official applications. Some countries were were initially interested in participating in BRICS but later withdrew. These include Algeria and Kazakhstan—the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, declared on 16 October that in the "foreseeable future," his country would not apply to join the forum.
