The leader of the Chinese Communist Party and President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping has asserted that, Beijing does not aim to claim an autonomous control over global affairs. Xi stated that “hegemonism is not in China’s DNA.”
During a speech given on his behalf by the Chinese Commerce Minister, Wang Wentao, Xi claimed that, China does not seek to enter into economic or political rivalry with any great powers or bring about “bloc Confrontation.” The statement was delivered at the opening of the BRICS Summit in South Africa.
“China stands firmly on the right side of history and believes a just cause should be pursued for the common good.”
Xi Jinping, President of China.
According to President Xi Jinping, the BRICS economic alliance will continue to expand, regardless of the oppositions they are facing in their way.
“Right now, changes in the world, in our times, and in history are unfolding in ways like never before, bringing human society to a critical juncture.”
Xi Jinping, President of China.
The reasons for President Xi absence at the meeting remains unclear, but in attendance were the presidents of Brazil, Lula Inacio da Silva, Prime Minister of India, Narenda Modi, and South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Though Xi wasn’t present at the opening of the summit, the Chinese President met with his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and congratulated him that, South Africa has reached a “a new historical starting point.”
Beijing and Moscow, who have suffered a lot from international sanctions spearheaded by the United States, have campaigned for the expansion of the BRICS alliance of developing econmies. The move by the two nations is to create a counterbalance to the Western hegemony over international institutions and affairs.
Among the nations that have expressed interest in joining the bloc, are Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iran, Argentina, and Egypt. Currently, the bloc is made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The alliance accounts for about 40% of the world’s population, and more than 25% of the global economy.
Though expansion of the bloc would place the alliance at an advantageous position in global affairs, the leaders of Brazil and India are less enthusiastic about the invitation of other nations.
According to Lula Inacio da Silva, the BRICS alliance does not seek to be a “counterpoint to the G7, G20 or the United States.” Lula explained that, it may be a deviation of the bloc’s main objectives. “We just want to organize ourselves,” Lula posted on his social media page.
According to the agenda of the summit, it aims at addressing the applications of other countries, who dream to be part of the bloc. The summit would also discuss policies that will promote the use of local currencies in trade and financial operations among member nations, and reduce the over-reliance on the US dollar.
Though he would be absent from the summit, the Russian Premier Vladimir Putin, in a recorded message insisted that, the de-dollarization of the bloc’s economic climate is “irreversible” and has been gathering momentum.
Russia, as a result of its military operation in Ukraine, has suffered from a wide range of economic restrictions, which have cripple its economy.
On the other hand, Russia would be represented by its Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, as Putin is entangled with an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, as he’s been accused of trafficking stranded Ukrainian children to occupied Russian Territories.
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