China has expressed its support for Russia’s role as the chair of BRICS, according to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. This announcement was made during a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu in St. Petersburg.
Key Takeaways
- China supports Russia’s activities as BRICS chair.
- Beijing aims to enhance mutual trust and cooperation among BRICS members.
- BRICS has expanded twice since its inception, with the latest expansion in 2023.
- Russia’s BRICS chairmanship began on January 1, 2024, and will include over 250 events.
China’s Support for Russia
Chinese authorities have openly supported Russia’s activities as the BRICS chair. During a meeting in St. Petersburg, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized China’s commitment to deepening mutual trust and cooperation among BRICS member countries. "We are ready to deepen mutual trust and cooperation among the member countries of the association through joint efforts," Wang Yi stated.
BRICS as a Platform for Global South
Wang Yi highlighted Beijing’s aim to turn BRICS into a significant platform for the voices of new forces to be heard. He stressed that the association should play a crucial role in fostering solidarity and cooperation among states in the Global South.
BRICS Expansion
Since its inception in 2006, BRICS has undergone two waves of expansion. The first expansion occurred in 2011 when South Africa joined the founding members Brazil, Russia, India, and China. The second wave took place in August 2023, when six new members, including Argentina, were invited to join BRICS after the summit in Johannesburg. However, Argentina’s new government, led by President Javier Milei, declined the invitation in December 2023, citing impracticality. The five new members—Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—began their roles as full-fledged BRICS members on January 1.
Russia’s BRICS Chairmanship
Russia assumed the rotating BRICS chairmanship on January 1, 2024. This chairmanship will last until the end of the year and will feature more than 250 events. The main event will be the BRICS Summit, scheduled to take place in Kazan in October 2024.
