As the 2023 BRICS summit is scheduled to be held in South Africa later this month, some voices from Western media have tried to magnify divergences among members, suggesting that it might impact the unity and development of the organization in the future. However, relevant countries have refuted these claims.
Chinese analysts emphasized that different opinions are normal within an organization that upholds multilateralism and democratization of international relations. They accused some Western elites of being jealous and nervous about the cooperation and development among non-Western countries and emerging economies, which challenges US hegemony and the unipolar world order.
Reports from outlets like Bloomberg and Reuters have highlighted so-called problems of disunity among BRICS members ahead of the summit. However, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed high expectations for the event, emphasizing the importance of countries like Saudi Arabia and Argentina joining the bloc.
Experts clarified that differences are expected in any international organization and even exist within Western blocs like NATO and the G7. They criticized the exaggeration of differences among BRICS members, which they believe exposes the wishful thinking of some Western elites who hope BRICS becomes paralyzed.
India’s Foreign Ministry spokesman refuted baseless speculation about the country being against BRICS expansion and emphasized India’s agreement to push for the bloc’s expansion. While China and India have disagreements, experts stressed that it’s unrealistic to say their competition is hindering BRICS’ development.
The future of the BRICS mechanism is decided collectively by all members, not just China and India. South African Ambassador to China highlighted the inclusiveness and push for global trade that BRICS represents.
Experts warned that Western countries, particularly the US, are trying to divide the world into blocs to incite internal problems among non-Western countries and disrupt cooperation among emerging economies. However, BRICS members should stay united to build a fairer and more reasonable globalization, focusing on solving global problems that the West has failed to address under the current international order.
BRICS is not interested in bloc confrontation with the West and aims to build a new globalization that promotes inclusiveness, mutual support, and integration. It seeks to avoid repeating the mistakes of the Western-led globalization that led to increasing unfairness, uneven development, and chaos worldwide.