THE 16th BRICS Summit successfully concluded in Kazan, Russia. The presence of the Chinese President Xi Jinping graced the occasion. Although the Western media usually criticized the BRICS through labelling its formation of fairies, debating club, fictional financial integration and last but not least, shrinking geo-economics. The regional canvass of geopolitics and global chessboard of the geo-economics are badly hurting economies, communities and corporate enterprises. Political hyping, hybrid media war, regaining of proxies, rule of jungle and unilateral imposition of sanctions are polluting the real essence of the WTO, UN Security Council and mudding the real face of struggling humanity in the Middle East.
Evidently, the dreams of Asian NATO and its eastern expansion in the Black Sea have been perceived as potential threats propelling horrific spells of destruction producing only debris and disbelief. Thus forces of global development, security and civilizational initiatives and the military complex theory, China’s containment theory and now new self-claimed China’s collapse theory are competing for quick economic recovery, economic globalization, international cooperation and continuation of the Cold War mentality, formation of bloc and sanctions polluting further peace and prosperity in Asia Pacific and beyond.
Moreover, brutal pursuits of the geo-economics in terms of ongoing decoupling, de-risking and over-capacity are actually the proponents of western wrong notions of protectionism producing seas of poverty, unemployment, price hike, stagnation and above all denial of fair and free economic cooperation is start hurting their own economies, societies and the systems around the globe. However, it seems that the keynote speech of the Chinese President Xi Jinping titled “Embracing a Broader View and Cutting Through the Fog of Challenges to Advance High-Quality Development of Greater BRICS Cooperation” dominated the summit mitigated all biased, false and fake western propaganda by highlighting the importance of security, peace, stability and sustainable economy.
Moreover, Xi’s speech disseminated a message of hope, harmony, tolerance, multiculturalism, justice, fair-play, equitable global governance, development of the Global South, economic expansion between the emerging economies and the Global South and togetherness against climate change. He also showcased the strategic value of common security, civilizational dialogue, cultural diplomacy and collective efforts embracing the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security paving the way for universal security Xi’s speech covered all aspects of economic cooperation, socio-economic collaboration, peaceful conflict resolution, innovation, modernization, transparency, openness, qualitative industrialization and green transformation through financial integration and the formation of a development bank vividly showcasing a new road map for the further strengthening of the BRICS.
By emphasizing on upholding the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting and no provocation by any party, to work for de-escalation of the Ukraine crisis as soon as possible seems to be the Xi’s true reflection of the global Chinese diplomatic wisdom depending upon dialogue, diplomacy, development and constructive neutrality which is the right approach in the right direction. Additionally, terming enlargement of BRICS a major milestone in its history and a landmark event in the evolution of the international situation and decision by inviting many countries to become partner countries highlighted Xi’s strong commitment for its future strategic expansion which would be a value addition for further strengthening of geo-economic and geopolitics of the organization creating an equitable, fair, free, transparent and open world creating mutual benefits for the emerging economies and the Global South Countries in the days to come.
It appears that Xi’s genuine concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza has won unlimited hearts and minds in the Middle East region giving a hope of peace, shelter, settlement and an immediate ceasefire for struggling people. Moreover, Xi’s strong commitment for unremitting efforts toward a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question is indeed a commendable deed. His commitment for innovation, high-quality development, technological revolution and industrial transformation will further foster new quality productive forces among the BRICS and formation of a China-BRICS Artificial Intelligence Development and Cooperation Centre would be a value addition. To conclude, for the future of BRICS, President Xi rightly proposed five major goals, including building “a BRICS committed to peace,” “a BRICS committed to innovation,” “a BRICS committed to green development,” “a BRICS committed to justice” and “a BRICS committed to closer people-to-people exchanges.” Hopefully these goals, together with the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, will drive the BRICS countries to embark on a new collective journey. The Chinese President Xi’s emphasis on justice, reforming global governance and multilateralism would be gearing shared benefits. Thus principles of fairness, justice, openness and inclusiveness are the true principles of global governance.
Fortunately, the “Greater BRICS” today covers 31 percent of the global land area, 46 percent of the world’s population and 20 per cent of global trade. Its oil production and reserves account for approximately 40 percent of the global energy landscape. Spanning Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America, it brings together a rich diversity of civilizations. It is good omen that the BRICS mechanism leads to the rise of the “Global South,” and the historic elevation of BRICS’ global influence is a concrete manifestation of the collective rise of the “Global South.”
It is indeed a global equalizer playing a key role in the process of world multi-polarity and democratization of international relations, driving international order toward greater fairness and equity, a responsibility that BRICS is naturally poised to fulfil. It seems that the BRICS community shines like a brilliant constellation in the vast night sky of economic globalization in which there is no black hole of geopolitics. The Chinese endorsement of the Russian proposal of the BRICS Payment System is the biggest outcome of this summit. Hopefully, the greater BRICS Cooperation will create a new landscape for high-quality development and rise of the Global South.
—The writer is President, Pak-China Corridor of Knowledge, Executive Director, CSAIS, regional expert: China, CPEC & BRI.
(mehmoodulhassankhan@yahoo.com)
