electra-supply.comUnder the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Xi Jinping will visit Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24 to attend the 16th BRICS Leaders’ Meeting.
The year 2024 marks the beginning of a new chapter for “Big BRICS Cooperation.” As of January 1st, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Ethiopia became official members of BRICS. Several other countries, including Cuba, Syria, and Thailand, have expressed interest in joining the BRICS cooperation mechanism.
“Mountains and rivers cannot hide the river’s eastward flow,” President Xi has emphasized, highlighting that “regardless of the obstacles, the positive, stable, and benevolent force of BRICS nations will continue to thrive.”
The ideals of harmony and common prosperity have been integral to the Chinese nation’s pursuit for centuries. In this context, “Current Affairs Micro-Observations” sheds light on the wisdom of China within BRICS cooperation, as inspired by three ancient sayings cited by President Xi.
“Acting in accordance with the natural order makes things easier, while opposing it complicates efforts.” On August 24, 2023, at around 9 AM local time, an unscheduled special press conference was held at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa. This significant event was a historic moment as it announced a new round of expansion for BRICS.
During the conference, President Xi pointed out that this expansion represents a new starting point for BRICS cooperation, injecting new vitality into the mechanism while enhancing the collective power for world peace and development. Historically, this expansion coincides with the rise of emerging markets and developing countries.
At the 2017 BRICS summit in Xiamen, President Xi proposed the innovative “BRICS Plus” cooperation concept, opening doors for emerging markets and developing nations to join the BRICS framework. Amid significant global changes, the voice of developing countries is stronger than ever, advocating for unity, multilateralism, international justice, and better global governance.
“Acting in accordance with the natural order makes things easier, while opposing it complicates efforts.” In his speech at the closing of the BRICS Business Forum in 2023, President Xi stated that today’s world is a community of shared destiny where all countries thrive or suffer together. The desire for a lasting peace and universal security, as well as shared prosperity grounded in openness and inclusivity, is what peoples around the globe are looking for—not a “new Cold War” or “exclusive circles.”
At a special video summit on the Israel-Palestine issue in November 2023, BRICS leaders discussed the ongoing challenges stemming from recent conflicts and their commitment to a just and lasting resolution, sending a clear call for justice and peace.
Despite the geographical distance, BRICS nations unite with a shared commitment to openness, cooperation, and mutual benefits. This fosters an environment where member states can actively participate in global collaboration on equal footing, making the group appealing to many emerging economies.
In June 2022, at the opening of the BRICS Business Forum, President Xi noted, “Just as Mount Tai does not reject soil, it becomes great; just as rivers and seas do not discard streams, they achieve depth.” The essence of inclusivity and mutual benefit is the rightful path for humanity.
This year, an expansion welcomed five “new partners” into the BRICS family. After the enlargement, the GDP of the ten BRICS countries accounts for approximately 30% of the global total, nearly half of the world’s population, and represents one-fifth of global trade.
Under the guiding principles of the BRICS spirit, trade interactions continually yield fruitful results; in the first three quarters of this year, China’s imports and exports with other BRICS nations reached 4.62 trillion yuan, a 5.1% increase.
As the largest economy among BRICS nations, China is consistently pushing for deeper and broader cooperation, enhancing the resilience and dynamism of BRICS collaboration.
“A single flower blooming does not make spring; a hundred flowers blooming fills the garden.” In 2022, China assumed the presidency of the BRICS group for the third time. A video meeting saw meticulous details reflecting China’s hospitality.
At the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the name cards of participating countries were elegantly presented in traditional Chinese rosewood holders, alongside fine porcelain teacups, encapsulating a rich “Chinese atmosphere.”
President Xi has often referenced the saying, “A single flower blooming does not make spring; a hundred flowers blooming fills the garden,” to emphasize that if only one type of flower exists, no matter how beautiful, it lacks variation. This applies to both Chinese civilization and the world’s cultures, all contributions to human civilization.
At the closing of the 2023 BRICS Business Forum, President Xi highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and mutual learning: “One single flower cannot paint a beautiful spring; it is through the blooming of many flowers that the world enjoys a vibrant spring.”
Diverse cultures define the BRICS nations. The differing histories, cultures, and systems call for exchanges and mutual learning to promote progress collectively.
Recently, a series of cultural exchange events were held, including the launch of the “Panda Theater” showcasing over 200 hours of Chinese-themed programming across various BRICS nations. Government officials, world champions, and experts from BRICS nations shared compelling stories of collaboration during the “BRICS Civilization Dialogue.”
The ongoing deepening of cultural exchanges among BRICS countries forges stronger human connections and opens new chapters in friendship.
Upholding an open, inclusive, and cooperative spirit, the BRICS nations have written chapters of shared development, serving as a shining example of South-South cooperation.
As a member of the “Global South,” China stands firmly on the right side of history, sharing a fate with other developing countries. It is committed to safeguarding their shared interests while contributing innovative Chinese wisdom and solutions to BRICS cooperation, South-South collaboration, and the promotion of global peace and development.
