In Kazan, a historic city located along the banks of the Volga River, a significant moment unfolded for the BRICS nations during their first meeting since welcoming new members. On October 23, 2024, President Xi Jinping attended the 16th BRICS Leaders’ Meeting, delivering a crucial speech. Faced with a choice between allowing global instability to prevail and steering the world back toward peaceful development, President Xi presented China’s perspective: “As the waves of the times grow larger, we must stand at the forefront with unwavering determination, pioneering courage, and strategic adaptability. We aim to transform BRICS into a key channel for promoting unity and cooperation among the Global South and a leading force in global governance reform.”
During the “BRICS+” dialogue later, President Xi emphasized, “As leaders of the Global South, we must showcase our collective wisdom and strength, taking responsibility for building a community with a shared future for humanity.”
Throughout his busy schedule in Kazan, President Xi articulated the concepts of “spiritual strength” and “responsibility,” setting the course for a new era of high-quality BRICS cooperation. We take a closer look at these insights.
In his speech at the BRICS meeting, President Xi referenced the work of Russian author Chernyshevsky, noting that the protagonist’s strong will and passionate struggle represent the spiritual strength we need today. This isn’t the first time President Xi has mentioned Chernyshevsky; in March 2013, during a speech at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, he quoted the writer’s famous saying: “The road of history is not a sidewalk on Nevskiy Prospekt; it goes through fields, sometimes through dust, sometimes through mud, sometimes across marshes, sometimes through jungles.” This analogy underscored that, regardless of obstacles encountered, history inevitably advances according to its own laws, and nothing can halt its progress.
The BRICS collaboration is a vivid embodiment of this forward drive of history.
Reflecting back, the establishment of the BRICS mechanism coincided with the collective rise of emerging market countries and developing nations. In the subsequent years, the original five BRICS nations—China, Russia, India, Brazil, and South Africa—have cooperated across various fields, significantly contributing to global economic growth, enhancing global governance, and promoting democratization of international relations.
At the Kazan summit, the leaders issued the Kazan Declaration and announced the creation of BRICS partner countries. “This marks another important advancement in the development of BRICS,” President Xi stated. “The coming together of BRICS countries is based on shared aspirations, aligning with the broader trends of global peace and development. We must seize this summit to maintain the momentum of BRICS development, plan for issues that are comprehensive, directional, and strategic, and move forward united and resolutely, renewing our commitment to collective action.”
To promote high-quality development in the realm of “Big BRICS Cooperation,” President Xi proposed five key strategies: building a “Peaceful BRICS,” an “Innovative BRICS,” a “Green BRICS,” a “Just BRICS,” and a “Cultural BRICS,” while collaborating with more countries from the Global South to collectively build a community with a shared future for humanity.
President Xi has repeatedly clarified that BRICS is not a closed club or an exclusive circle. To embody the BRICS spirits of “openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation,” at the 2017 Xiamen Summit, he creatively introduced the “BRICS+” concept, encouraging more emerging economies and developing countries to engage with BRICS collaboration.
During this year’s BRICS+ dialogue, President Xi reaffirmed that despite changing international circumstances, China remains committed to the Global South and is dedicated to supporting more nations from the Global South in joining the BRICS initiative, thereby harnessing the tremendous strength of the Global South to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity.
As the largest economy among BRICS nations, China’s approach and actions are continually injecting robust vitality into the development of Global South countries. President Xi stated that China is willing to leverage its strengths to expand cooperation with BRICS nations in green industries, clean energy, and green minerals. A global center of excellence for industrial artificial intelligence has recently been established in Shanghai, and China will also create an online cooperation platform for “Smart Customs” and a customs demonstration center for BRICS countries, alongside initiating a Global South Think Tank Cooperation Alliance. These initiatives showcase China’s broad-mindedness, strategic planning, and sense of responsibility, which will further deepen and solidify BRICS collaboration.
In response to the ongoing global turmoil, the choices and responsibilities of BRICS and Global South nations are crucial. During his bilateral activities at “BRICS Time,” President Xi highlighted the importance of close cooperation to uphold international fairness and justice. In a meeting with Russian President Putin, he emphasized that as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major world powers, China and Russia must deepen their comprehensive strategic collaboration and enhance communication and coordination within multilateral frameworks like the UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, promoting a correct view of WWII while steadfastly defending a UN-centered international system and global strategic stability.
During a meeting with the General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President Thongloun, President Xi said, “Both sides should strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation to uphold international fairness and justice, as well as the interests of developing countries.”
While meeting with Indian Prime Minister Modi, President Xi stressed the importance of enhancing communication and cooperation to build mutual strategic trust and collectively achieve each other’s developmental aspirations, setting an example for the international community and contributing to the democratization of international relations.
As global instability grows, BRICS nations must raise the banner of peace, development, cooperation, and win-win outcomes, refining the essence of BRICS and demonstrating its strength.
At the Kazan Expo Center, the BRICS leaders stood shoulder to shoulder for a landmark “family photo,” marking this milestone moment in BRICS cooperation. This was the first collective photo after the expansion, highlighting the unity of the BRICS family.
Regardless of how international circumstances evolve, the original intent and collective aspirations of BRICS nations remain unchanged. With a commitment to mutual benefit and cooperation, China is eager to join with BRICS countries to create a new phase of high-quality development in “Big BRICS Cooperation,” contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
