Xi's remarks at BRICS summit in Kazan hailed as visionary

President Xi Jinping's speeches at the 16th BRICS Summit were key to advancing global peace and cooperation, and his vision of making BRICS an important platform for strengthening solidarity and cooperation is in the in the interest of all, world experts said.

Xi visited Russia from October 22 to 24 to participate in the 16th BRICS Summit, held in Kazan. During the summit, he called on BRICS countries to build a BRICS committed to peace, innovation, green development, justice and closer people-to-people exchanges.

He also said that BRICS countries should be the defenders of common security, the pioneers of high-quality development, the promoters of sustainable development, the forerunners in the reform of global governance and the defenders of coexistence harmonious between all civilizations.

Karori Singh, former director and distinguished fellow of the Center for South Asian Studies at the University of Rajasthan in India, said what Xi called for is in everyone's interest.

He said Xi's words imply a recognition of diversity and multilateralism in the behavior of countries in conducting their foreign policies. Such willingness and commitment on the part of China also implies that the country is ready to make its contribution to “ensure common security, sustainable development and reform global governance through bilateral and multilateral cooperation”, said Singh.

He added that Xi also clarified that BRICS does not oppose any other existing organization, but rather complements the cause of other organizations and institutions “in a more egalitarian and democratic manner with a greater sense of fairness and of empathy towards all, whether rich or poor. strong or weak.

During the summit, Xi called for joint efforts to make BRICS a main channel for strengthening solidarity and cooperation among Southern countries, as well as a vanguard for advancing global governance reform .

Francisco Dominguez, former research director of Latin American studies at Middlesex University in the United Kingdom, said the 16th BRICS Summit was a major step forward towards building global multilateral collaboration, peace, development and prosperity, of which the countries of the South would be the main beneficiaries.

Adhere Cavince, an international relations specialist based in Nairobi, Kenya, said this year's BRICS summit marked a major development in the pursuit of inclusive and functional multilateralism.

“The world is currently embroiled in numerous conflicts, and some major countries are turning inward and breeding ultranationalism. (…) The Chinese leader's call for maintaining global peace through targeted reforms of global governance structures, joint promotion of green development and the cultivation of intercultural friendship is welcome,” Cavince said.

Experts also praised the principles put forward by President Xi to resolve ongoing global conflicts.

Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan-China Knowledge Corridor Center and Executive Director of the Center for South Asian Studies and International Relations in Islamabad, Pakistan, said that regarding the de-escalation of the Ukrainian crisis as quickly as possible, Xi's emphasis Respecting the three principles of non-expansion of the battlefield, non-escalation of fighting and non-provocation by any party is an approach in the right direction.

He also praised Xi's tireless efforts for a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue, which offers hope for peace and an immediate ceasefire.

Yang Ran in Beijing contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at [email protected]