Xi Stresses BRICS Expansion: Hegemonism Contrary to China’s Values

Chinese President Xi Jinping has asked that the BRICS grouping of emerging economies be expanded to build a more just and equitable international order. 

BRICS is currently made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – which represents about 40 per cent of the world’s population and more than 25 per cent of the global economy.

Xi also insisted that “hegemonism is not in China’s DNA”. His statement was contained in a speech delivered on his behalf at the start of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on Tuesday.

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao who delivered Xi’s speech noted that China had no wish to engage in great power competition or create “bloc confrontation”

Xi said, “China stands firmly on the right side of history and believes a just cause should be pursued for the common good. 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.” 

He also added that BRICS would continue to grow “whatever resistance there may be.”

What you need to know

The summit had South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance. 

Xi who did not attend the summit earlier met summit host Ramaphosa, telling his counterpart their countries stood at a “new historical starting point”.

Countries seeking to join BRICS

Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iran, Argentina and Egypt are among the countries that have expressed interest in joining the bloc. 

China and Russia, both of which have been heavily sanctioned by the United States, have been keen to expand BRICS to develop a counter to Western dominance over international institutions and affairs.

While Brazil and India have been indecisive about growing the bloc.