Xi Jinping: BRICS to Forge Stronger Partnership, People Do Not Long for New Cold War or Small Exclusive Bloc

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Chinese President Xi Jinping stated at the BRICS summit that “What people in various countries long for is definitely not a new Cold War or a small exclusive bloc.” He stressed that the BRICS group will expand and promote global multipolarity. “Hegemonism is not in China’s DNA; nor does China have any motivation to engage in major-power competition,” Xi claimed.

Xi Jinping’s BRICS Summit Speech

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in South Africa on Monday to attend the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. All leaders of the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are attending, with Russian President Vladimir Putin participating via videoconference. In addition, more than 40 other heads of state are also attending, according to South Africa, the host of the BRICS summit this year.

On Tuesday, the Chinese leader was scheduled to deliver a speech at the BRICS Business Forum, a key event at the summit, alongside other BRICS leaders. However, Xi unexpectedly skipped the event. Instead, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao delivered Xi’s prepared statement at the forum.

According to Xi’s statement, “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.” Noting that “Our world today has become a community with a shared future in which we all share a huge stake of survival,” the Chinese president stressed:

What people in various countries long for is definitely not a new Cold War or a small exclusive bloc; what they want is an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys enduring peace, universal security and common prosperity. Such is the logic of historical advance and the trend of our times.

Xi explained that the rise of emerging markets and developing countries (EMDCs) represented by the BRICS economic bloc is ”fundamentally changing the global landscape.” He stressed, “Whatever resistance there may be, BRICS, a positive and stable force for good, will continue to grow,” emphasizing:

We will forge stronger BRICS strategic partnership, expand the ‘BRICS Plus’ model, actively advance membership expansion, deepen solidarity and cooperation with other EMDCs, promote global multipolarity and greater democracy in international relations, and help make the international order more just and equitable.

“The gathering between BRICS countries and more than 50 other countries in South Africa today is not an exercise of asking countries to take sides, nor an exercise of creating bloc confrontation. Rather, it is an endeavor to expand the architecture of peace and development. I am glad to note that over 20 countries are knocking on the door of BRICS. China hopes to see more joining the BRICS cooperation mechanism,” Xi’s statement details. According to South Africa, 23 countries have formally applied for BRICS membership. The Chinese leader further stated:

Hegemonism is not in China’s DNA; nor does China have any motivation to engage in major-power competition. China stands firmly on the right side of history, and believes that a just cause should be pursued for the common good.

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