Xi’s vision for BRICS: Advancing cooperation in a multipolar world

Editor’s note: Gao Lei, a special commentator for CGTN, is an associate professor at the Center for Xi Jinping Thoughts on Opening-up, Research Institute of Globalization and China’s Modernization, University of International Business and Economics. Xia Lu, a special commentator for CGTN, is a research fellow at Chongyang Institute for Fianancial Studies, National Academy for Development and Strategy as well as the Academy of Xi Jinping Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Renmin University of China. The article reflects the authors’ opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech titled “Embracing a Broader View and Cutting Through the Fog of Challenges to Advance High-Quality Development of Greater BRICS Cooperation” at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. In his speech, President Xi called for building “BRICS into a primary channel for strengthening solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations and a vanguard for advancing global governance reform.”

Xi outlined a vision where members should work together to build BRICS into a channel committed to peace, innovation, green development, justice and closer people-to-people exchanges. This vision reflects the evolving nature of the BRICS mechanism, which seeks to foster a new pattern of cooperation among developing countries.

For example, the Benban Solar Park, a clean energy hub jointly built by China and Egypt, plans to construct 40 solar power plants with a total installed capacity of approximately 2 gigawatts. By June, 32 of these plants had been completed and were in operation. Statistics show that the park will help Egypt reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2 million tons annually. This exemplifies the collaboration between China and other BRICS countries in advancing green and low-carbon development, highlighting China’s commitment to being a pioneer in sustainable development.

In addition, cultural exchanges among BRICS countries continue to deepen. For instance, the fourth Chinese Movie Week opened in Tehran, the capital of Iran, in September, attracting over 300 participants from various sectors of both China and Iran. Similarly, the BRICS Media Summit was held in Russia in September, where media leaders from more than 40 countries engaged in discussions on the responsibilities of media in BRICS countries in a multipolar world, contributing to efforts toward global stability and collaboration.

The significance of these five proposals is profound, as Xi, from the strategic perspective of building a community with a shared future for mankind, has put forward China’s solutions for the development of BRICS. These proposals also reflect the shared commitment of BRICS countries to uphold multilateralism, promote fairness and justice, and strengthen dialogue and cooperation with a wide range of developing countries, embodying a new model of cooperation among Global South countries.

As a member of the Global South, China has played a leading role in driving the growth of this platform. China, under Xi’s leadership, has introduced key initiatives that have strengthened BRICS cooperation. For example, the establishment of the New Development Bank in 2014 aimed to support infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies, while the “BRICS Plus” initiative in 2017 sought to expand cooperation between BRICS countries and other emerging markets and developing countries. Through these efforts, China has demonstrated its commitment to building a more inclusive framework for development, spurring progress within the BRICS mechanism step by step.

The 16th BRICS Summit holds special significance as it marks the first meeting after the group’s expansion to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. With members spanning Asia, Africa and Latin America, BRICS now accounts for nearly 50 percent of the global population and around 30 percent of the global GDP. This diverse composition highlights the group’s growing importance in global affairs and reinforces its ambition to build a fairer and more just multipolar world order.

As a key platform representing the voices and interests of emerging markets and developing countries – which have contributed 80 percent of global economic growth over the past two decades and increased their share of global GDP from 24 percent to over 40 percent in the past four decades – BRICS has showcased its strong appeal and ability to enhance global peace and development.

In a world increasingly characterized by geopolitical turbulence and rapid transformation, BRICS stands out as a platform for inclusive cooperation. Its mechanism encourages countries to resolve international and regional issues through dialogue and negotiations, aligning with the principles of the UN Charter. By providing opportunities for collective problem-solving, BRICS allows developing nations to participate actively in global governance, further promoting equality and justice.

Despite the distinct cultural backgrounds of its members, BRICS embodies the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and mutual respect. This ability to unite diverse countries toward common goals reflects the necessity of fostering dialogue among civilizations. The continued focus on collaboration not only strengthens mutual understanding but also amplifies the collective voice of the Global South, reinforcing its influence on the world stage.

As more countries demonstrate their willingness to join the BRICS family, and under President Xi’s proposal of building BRICS into a channel committed to peace, innovation, green development, justice and closer people-to-people exchanges, BRICS is bound to advance world multipolarity and the democratization of international relations, driving the global order toward greater fairness and equity.

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