The power of the "Big Brick", where does it come from, and how powerful is it?

China News Service, Beijing, September 12. Question: Where does the power of the "Big BRIC" come from and how powerful is it?

China News Service reporter Li Jingze

On September 12, the 18th BRICS leaders’ meeting kicked off in New Delhi, India, marking another “BRICS moment” for global governance.

This year coincides with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the BRICS cooperation mechanism. In the past 20 years, from the "BRIC" to the "Greater BRICS", BRICS cooperation has become an important force in promoting world multipolarity and democratization of international relations, and promoting the common development of the global South.

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong wrote an article in the People's Daily on the 12th. The article was titled "Contributing the power of the "Big BRIC" to building a community with a shared future for mankind." On the turbulent world stage, where does the power of the "Big BRIC" come from? How much force? It can be observed from seven dimensions.

——The power of the times.

The BRICS cooperation mechanism was born out of the historical trend of the collective rise of emerging markets and developing countries. Over the past 20 years, the world has undergone profound adjustments. The BRICS mechanism has adhered to its original aspirations, kept pace with the times, developed amidst changes, and grown stronger in cooperation.

The great atmosphere of BRICS cooperation reflects the historical process of the collective rise of the Global South. In recent years, the multi-polarity of the world has evolved in depth, and the center of gravity of the world economy has continued to shift to the Global South. In response to the current situation, the BRICS has deepened its multilateral cooperation, expanded cooperation space, and promoted the reform of the global governance system, with greater weight and more quality.

——The power of size.

Today, the BRICS countries come from four continents, account for nearly half of the world's population, account for about 30% of the world's total economic output, and contribute more than 50% to world economic growth. They have become the "golden sign" of unity and cooperation in the global South.

Some analysts say that the "bigness" of the "Big BRICs" is not only an increase in numbers, but also a structural change, marking that the global South, represented by the BRICs, is accelerating from the "edge" of the international stage to the "center", using the power of its size to stimulate more cooperation opportunities.

——Complementary power.

The BRICS countries gather "rich minerals", "big factories" and "big markets" and are highly complementary in terms of resource endowment, industrial structure and development needs. Over the past 20 years, BRICS countries have continuously expanded cooperation in areas such as economy, trade and finance, technological innovation, and green development, turning the advantages of all parties into synergy for development.

Chrome ore from South Africa is smelted by alloys in Chinese factories and turned into high-end stainless steel plates, which appear in precision instrument workshops in Bangalore, India; modern harvesters made in China are galloping on the farmland of Brazil... "Greater BRICS Cooperation" complements each other's advantages and establishes itself, writing more and more win-win stories.

——The power of mechanism.

Today, the BRICS cooperation mechanism has formed a multi-level cooperation structure led by leaders' meetings, supported by ministerial meetings, and driven by political and security, economic, trade and financial, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

In recent years, the BRICS countries have established and improved cooperation mechanisms such as the New Development Bank and the Emergency Reserve Arrangement, deepened the partnership for the new industrial revolution, and continued to build synergies for development through mechanism building. Combined with the information released by all parties, this summit is expected to achieve a series of new results, making the "Greater BRICS Cooperation" have a stronger foundation, more momentum, and greater influence.

——The power of tolerance.

Since the BRICS started its membership expansion process, six new members have joined and 10 countries have become partners. More and more countries are looking forward to opening the door of the BRICS, and the "circle of friends" of the BRICS countries is getting bigger and bigger.

The 20 years of BRIC have demonstrated the principle of inclusiveness. BRICS countries have different national conditions and systems. They always treat each other as equals and respect each other's independently chosen development paths. Thanks to seeking common ground while reserving differences and building consensus, the road of BRICS cooperation has become wider and wider. The "BRICS family" continues to enhance understanding through exchanges and mutual learning, and its resilience and vitality continue to increase.

——Moral power.

In the face of disputes between multilateralism and unilateralism, justice and hegemony, BRICS countries have always held high the banner of multilateralism, firmly defended the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, unequivocally opposed hegemonism, unilateralism, and protectionism, and promoted the construction of a more just and reasonable international order.

The more difficult and turbulent the world situation becomes, the more BRICS countries show their responsibility. The BRICS leaders held a special video summit on the Palestinian-Israeli issue to coordinate positions and share common interests; China and Brazil's "six-point consensus" on a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis received positive responses from more than 110 countries.

Some analysts believe that always standing on the right side of history and firmly safeguarding the international system with the United Nations as the core and the international order based on international law are important reasons for the increasing international influence of BRICS.

——The power of leadership.

On the road of joint progress between the BRICS and the Global South, China has always been the promoter and leader.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has hosted or attended many BRICS leaders' meetings. From proposing the "four major goals" of BRICS cooperation to advocating the BRICS spirit, from initiating the "BRICS+" cooperation model to proposing the "five major BRICS" to gather strength and empower the "Greater BRICS Cooperation"... key nodes in the development of BRICS cooperation have left a distinct "Chinese imprint."

China will take over the rotating chairmanship of the BRICS next year. Standing at the starting point of the third "Golden Decade", the international community is even more expecting China to play a leading role and contribute more "Greater BRICS" power to promote the common development of the global South, promote the construction of a more just and reasonable international order, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.