By outdoor-nature-child.com Nestled along the banks of the Volga River, Kazan is a city steeped in a thousand years of history, serving as a vibrant crossroads of diverse cultures. Leaders from “Global South” countries across four continents and both hemispheres are gathering here.
As President Xi Jinping noted, “The more turbulent the world becomes, the more we must advocate for peace, development, cooperation, and shared benefits, refining the essence of BRICS and showcasing its strength.” From October 22 to 24, 2024, President Xi attended the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan.
In the quest for truth, we often find authenticity emerging through challenges. When we step back and examine this gathering in Kazan through a broader historical lens, we can better understand the “essence of BRICS” and its “power” as well as appreciate the significant steps taken in a new era of China’s diplomacy.
Looking at historical trends, the remarkable rise of developing countries from the Global South is a standout feature of our changing world. What began as a singular investment concept in research reports has evolved into a vital international cooperation mechanism. The unity of BRICS nations appears accidental but is, in reality, an inevitable outcome of history.
From the initial stages, where the “BRIC” countries synchronized their efforts, to the later expansion into “BRICS,” we now witness the flourishing of “BRICS Plus,” opening new avenues for collaboration. This partnership reflects the ongoing evolution of human societal development and international relations, underscoring the shared commitments towards common aspirations.
I remember President Xi’s resolute remarks during the 2013 Durban summit, marking his first appearance at a BRICS leaders’ meeting: “As long as we remain confident in our development paths and our cooperation within BRICS, unafraid of risks and distractions, our endeavors will surely flourish.”
At the Kazan summit, he elaborated on the significance of this modern alignment among Global South nations, calling it a momentous historical event and an unprecedented milestone in human civilization.
The “Kazan Declaration” echoed a common sentiment, reinforcing a commitment to bolster multilateralism and strive for a more just and democratic world order. If we broaden our perspective further, we recall how, in the past, many developing nations united against imperialism and colonization, paving the way for independent development. Today, the inclusive “BRICS Plus” approach signifies a new era of solidarity and self-empowerment among the Global South.
History flows like a river, at times tranquil, at others turbulent, yet always progressing forward.
When we reflect on the summit, two photographs and one key term dominated the media landscape. One image captured the historic moment of the 16th BRICS leaders’ summit, marking the inclusion of new members into the BRICS family. The other showcased the BRICS Plus leaders’ dialogue, illustrating the mechanism’s inclusiveness and appeal, as leaders and representatives from BRICS nations and guest countries convened in Kazan.
A new term emerged from these discussions: “BRICS Partner Countries.” Following a successful expansion, over 30 additional nations have applied to join BRICS. The summit symbolizes another significant step in fortifying the BRICS mechanism, announcing the establishment of BRICS Partner Countries to accommodate the sustained interest from Global South nations.
BRICS cooperation has long transcended the original group of nations. In recent years, BRICS leaders have engaged in dialogues with leaders from Africa, South America, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Eurasian Economic Union, among others. In strengthening dialogue with regional and neighboring countries, President Xi first introduced the “BRICS Plus” concept at the 2017 Xiamen summit. Since then, this model has deepened and expanded, becoming a benchmark for South-South cooperation among emerging market and developing countries.
President Xi emphasized, “The BRICS cooperation mechanism is one of the most important platforms uniting emerging market nations and developing countries today. It is crucial in promoting an equitable and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization.”
He further asserted, “BRICS is not a closed club nor an exclusive ‘small circle,’ but rather a family that supports each other and a partnership built on mutual benefit.” This clarity showcases a grand vision and a broad-minded approach.
Turning to development dynamics, BRICS stands as the frontline coalition of the Global South, with China committed as a steadfast member of this community of developing countries.
Faced with a new multipolar reality and the looming threats of a “new Cold War,” we must consider how the BRICS cooperation mechanism can respond. What role will China play in helping Global South nations embark on their modernization journeys?
In response, President Xi provided a resolute answer: “The greater the storm, the more we must stand bravely at the forefront, harnessing resilience, courage, and strategic adaptability to make BRICS a leading channel for cooperation among the Global South and a pioneering force for global governance reform.”
He added, “Regardless of how the international landscape shifts, China will always be attuned to the needs of the Global South, fostering a supportive environment for more countries to join the BRICS framework, whether as founding members, partners, or via the ‘BRICS Plus’ initiative.”
With a determined spirit, China has not only articulated its position but has also taken concrete actions.
The Global Security Initiative has yielded significant achievements in maintaining regional stability. Notably, China and Brazil jointly issued a “Six-Point Consensus” and initiated a “Friends of Peace” group concerning the Ukraine crisis alongside relevant Global South nations. In July, internal reconciliation among Palestinian factions in Beijing marked a pivotal step towards peace in the Middle East.
Over the past three years, the Global Development Initiative has mobilized nearly $20 billion in development funding and initiated over 1,100 projects. Recently, the Global Industrial Artificial Intelligence Alliance Excellence Center was established in Shanghai, with plans to create a global “Smart Customs” online cooperation platform and a BRICS Customs Demonstration Center.
The Global Civilization Initiative aims to cultivate a world rich in diverse cultural exchanges. President Xi announced that China will take the lead in establishing a cooperation alliance of think tanks from the Global South.
“Promoting a community with a shared future for mankind, embodying common human values, and implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative” is the heartfelt commitment of a nation with over 5,000 years of civilization, a party that has weathered over a century of challenges, all while focusing on the shared future of humanity and the well-being of its people.