Leaders of the Brics nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China and SA — struck an assertive tone in their first public remarks on the eve of the 15th summit in Johannesburg where they will debate adding new members to the emerging-market bloc as a counterbalance to the US-led international order.
The summit, held under the theme “Brics in Africa: Collaboration for Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity in the 4th Industrial Revolution”, takes place amid rising tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and geopolitical competition between the US and China over issues such as trade and human rights.
The leaders on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to a multipolar world as the best way to address the common challenges facing humanity, such as climate change, which requires co-ordinated action from all countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing environment.
“The new wave of protectionism and the impact of unilateral measures that are incompatible with WTO rules undermine global economic growth and development,” President Cyril Ramaphosa, who chairs the summit, said at the close of the Brics Business Council ahead of the summit.
“We therefore need to reaffirm our position that economic growth must be underpinned by transparency and inclusiveness. It must be compatible with a multilateral trading system that supports a developmental agenda. We require a fundamental reform of the global financial institutions so that they can be more agile and responsive to the challenges facing developing economies.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a scathing criticism of the US, accusing it of being “obsessed” with maintaining its hegemony and “crippling” emerging markets.
Although he did not mention the US by name, Xi asked the Brics members to stand firm on its principles.
“Should we pursue co-operation and integration or just succumb to division and confrontation? Should we work together to maintain peace and stability or just sleepwalk into the abyss of a new Cold War?” Xi said in a speech read by his commerce minister, Wang Wentao.
“Should we embrace prosperity, openness and inclusiveness or should we allow hegemony and bullying acts to send us into depression?
“Should we deepen mutual trust or allow hubris and prejudice to blind consciences ... history will be shaped by the choices we make,” he said.
His comments come amid increased political and economic tension between the US and China, the world’s leading economies.
Protectionism
China has accused the US of protectionism, shielding its domestic industries from foreign competition through banning or heavily taxing imports from Brics member states.
“We are not asking countries to take sides and are against bloc confrontation ... China stays committed to an independent foreign policy of peace. China has resolutely upheld the common interests of developing countries and worked hard to increase the voice of developing countries in global affairs.
“Hegemony is not in China’s DNA nor does China have any motivation to engage in power competition. China believes that a just cause must be fought for the common good.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who made his address via a video call after his travel to SA was complicated by an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over the abduction of children in Ukraine, hailed a spirit of co-operation and equality among Brics members.
“We co-operate on the principles of equality, partnership support, respect for each other’s interests, and this is the essence of the future-orientated strategic course of our association, a course that meets the aspirations of the main part of the world community, the so-called global majority,” Putin said in recorded remarks.
Together, Brics countries constitute more than 40% of the world population and a quarter of the global economy.
The issue of global political and financial reform is high on the agenda of the summit, which UN secretary-general António Guterres will also attend.
Among other things, the summit will discuss the issue of intra-Brics trading using their own currencies instead of using the US dollar — as currently is the case.
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