Xi Jinping on BRICS
TL;DR
Xi Jinping views BRICS as the foremost platform for the Global South to advance multilateralism and counter global unilateralism.
Key Points
He made three proposals at the September 2025 Virtual BRICS Summit focusing on upholding multilateralism, openness, and solidarity for common development.
He welcomed new members at the 16th BRICS Summit in October 2024, calling the enlargement a major milestone in the group's history and international evolution.
He declared that China will forever be a member of the developing countries, emphasizing BRICS' role in championing the Global South.
Summary
Xi Jinping consistently positions BRICS as a crucial, leading mechanism for engagement with the Global South, essential for countering rising unilateralism and protectionism in global affairs. He advocates strongly for greater unity within the bloc, urging members to uphold the "BRICS Spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation" to jointly defend multilateralism and the international system centered on the United Nations. This stance is operationalized through his proposals at summits, which consistently emphasize defending international fairness, safeguarding an open economic order, and fostering common development through initiatives like the Global Development Initiative and Belt and Road cooperation.
The leader is a major proponent of BRICS expansion, viewing it as a historical milestone that increases the group's influence and adds momentum to the reform of global governance. He emphasizes that the expansion enhances the representation and voice of developing nations, working to ensure they participate as equals and share in development's fruits. China sees this as vital for improving the international financial system and securing greater collective leverage against powers perceived as disrupting the global order, intending for BRICS to be the primary channel for Global South solidarity.
Key Quotes
BRICS countries, standing at the forefront of the Global South, should act on the BRICS Spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, jointly defend multilateralism and the multilateral trading system, advance greater BRICS cooperation, and build a community with a shared future for humanity.
BRICS countries, standing at the forefront of the Global South, should act on the BRICS Spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, jointly defend multilateralism and the multilateral trading system, advance greater BRICS cooperation, and build a community with a shared future for humanity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Xi Jinping views BRICS as the most important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries. He sees it as an essential mechanism for engaging the Global South and countering the influence of Western-led blocs. The leader strongly promotes the bloc's role in promoting multilateralism and shaping a more just global governance system.
At the September 2025 virtual summit, he put forward three main proposals: upholding multilateralism to defend international fairness, upholding openness and win-win cooperation to safeguard the economic order, and upholding solidarity to foster common development. These align with his broader initiatives for global governance and development.
He is a strong advocate for BRICS enlargement, describing it as a major milestone for the group and the broader evolution of the international situation. For him, expansion increases the bloc's ability to enhance the voice of the Global South and work toward reforming global governance structures.
Sources6
President Xi Jinping Attends Virtual BRICS Summit and Delivers Important Statement
Full text of Xi's statement at virtual BRICS Summit
Xi Jinping Attends the 16th BRICS Summit and Makes an Important Statement
Xi Jinping Attends the "BRICS Plus" Dialogue and Delivers Important Remarks
Xi makes three proposals at virtual BRICS Summit to cement solidarity, advance cooperation
The 2023 BRICS Summit: A Mixed Bag for China | ChinaPower Project
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.