Xi Jinping to Attend BRICS Summit in Russia Amid Growing Alliance
Chinese leader Xi Jinping will visit Russia for the BRICS summit in October, strengthening ties between the two nations. The expanding alliance aims to counterbalance Western influence in global affairs.
Xi Jinping, China's leader, is set to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, this October. This visit marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts of Moscow and Beijing to counterbalance Western influence on the global stage.
The BRICS alliance, originally formed in 2006 with Brazil, Russia, India, and China, later welcomed South Africa in 2010. This group represents a substantial portion of the world's population and economic power. Notably, BRICS countries account for about 40% of the global population and approximately 25% of the world's GDP.
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping have maintained frequent contact, with multiple meetings over the past year. Their most recent encounters occurred in Beijing this May and Kazakhstan in July. These interactions underscore the strengthening ties between Russia and China, particularly in the context of ongoing global tensions.
China's stance on the Ukraine conflict remains officially neutral. However, Beijing has supported Moscow's narrative that Western actions provoked the situation. This alignment has raised concerns among Western nations about China's role in the conflict.
Russia's economic reliance on China has intensified since February 2022, when Moscow initiated its military action in Ukraine. Western sanctions have significantly impacted Russia's international trade capabilities. In response, China has become a crucial economic partner for Russia, with bilateral trade reaching $240 billion in the previous year.
"Russia-China relations are developing quite successfully and in all directions."
The BRICS alliance has recently expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. This growth reflects the group's increasing influence and its goal to reform international institutions such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank.
BRICS nations have been collaborating on various fronts, including space research, sustainable development, and counter-terrorism efforts. The alliance has also established its own development bank and discussed creating a common currency to reduce dependence on the US dollar.
As the BRICS summit approaches, the international community will be closely watching the outcomes of this gathering and its potential impact on global economic and political dynamics.
