Hot Q&A: Why are more and more countries applying to join the BRICS expansion

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, June 20 (Xinhua) - Hot topic Q&A: Why are more and more countries applying to join the BRICS

Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Jian Chen Dan

According to the Dhaka Forum on the 19th, Bangladesh has officially applied to join the BRICS Cooperation Mechanism. The expansion of membership in BRICS countries has once again attracted widespread attention.

The BRICS countries include five countries: China, Russia, India, Brazil, and South Africa. After more than a decade of development, the foundation of cooperation among BRICS countries has become increasingly solid, the fields have gradually expanded, and the results of cooperation have become increasingly fruitful. The BRICS cooperation mechanism has gained widespread recognition and support from the international community, and more and more like-minded partners hope to participate in it.

Xiamen International Convention and Exhibition Center. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jiang Kehong

Which countries are looking forward to joining the BRICS "big family"? Why is it so enthusiastic? When will the expansion of BRICS countries be on the agenda?

Who is queuing up to apply

On December 28, 2022, in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Hasina attended the opening ceremony of the country's first light rail. Shen Jizhong

According to Russian media reports, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Riyabkov stated on the 15th that the number of countries applying to join the BRICS is constantly increasing, and there are currently nearly 20 countries.

According to reports, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Hasina met with South African President Ramaphosa in Geneva, Switzerland on the 14th, and Bangladesh subsequently submitted an application. On the same day, Russian Ambassador to Egypt Borishchenko stated that Egypt has officially applied to join the BRICS Cooperation Mechanism and is very interested in "de dollarization".

According to a recent report by Japan's Daily News, Iran and Argentina have also recently applied to join. In addition, oil producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Nigeria have also submitted applications. Once these countries are approved to join, it means that the BRICS cooperation mechanism will cover more than half of the global oil and gas resources, greatly increasing its influence.

At the end of May this year, Venezuelan President Maduro told the media after a meeting with Brazilian President Lula that the BRICS countries are attracting those seeking peace and cooperation in the world, and Venezuela "hopes to become a part of the BRICS countries in an appropriate way.".

Why is it so enthusiastic

As an important platform for cooperation between emerging market countries and developing countries, the BRICS countries are committed to maintaining multilateralism, actively promoting global governance system reform, enhancing the representation and voice of emerging market countries and developing countries, and have become a positive, stable, and constructive force in international affairs.

On the 10th of this month, the website of the Spanish newspaper "Uprising" raised a question: Why are so many developing countries interested in joining the BRICS countries?

The report points out that many countries are tired of the fact that the United States has almost dominated the world economically for decades, forcing dollar trading. Failure to comply with White House instructions will result in sanctions and economic and financial extortion. In contrast, the BRICS countries maintain an open attitude towards helping countries develop, promoting investment and trade, and never impose prerequisites.

This is the headquarters building of the BRICS New Development Bank located in the World Expo Park in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Fang Zhe

"The most important thing is that the BRICS countries defend multipolarity and multilateralism... By defending multilateralism, the BRICS countries are fighting against the concept of the Cold War and providing the possibility of establishing a more fair, just, and beneficial global international economic order," Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel said in a recent media interview.

Valeria Gorbachova, head of the Development Management Office for Multilateral Strategic Projects at the Russian State Higher School of Economics, wrote that the main mission of the BRICS countries is to become spokespersons for the interests of developing countries, and their goals and values are aligned with most countries in the world. This means that expanding the membership of the BRICS countries will be a matter of time.

When will it be put on the schedule

Last June, during the 14th meeting of BRICS leaders, the leaders of the five countries reached an important consensus on the issue of BRICS expansion, supporting the discussion of expansion standards and procedures.

South Africa is the rotating presidency of the BRICS countries in 2023 and will host the 15th BRICS Leaders Meeting. On the 17th of this month, Russian President's press secretary Peskov stated in an interview with Russian media that the topic of expanding the membership of BRICS countries will be included in the agenda of the BRICS leaders' meeting to be held in August.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a regular press conference on May 31, "China has always advocated that the BRICS countries are an open and inclusive mechanism, supports the BRICS expansion process, and welcomes more like-minded partners to join the BRICS' big family 'as soon as possible."

On September 8, 2021, visitors took photos of the exhibited intelligent robotic dog at the BRICS New Industrial Revolution Exhibition held in Xiamen. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Lin Shan

Peskov said that Russia is pleased to see more and more countries showing strong interest in the BRICS. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that the fact that multiple countries have lined up to join the BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization indicates that their role is becoming increasingly important.

In an interview with TASS, South Africa's Permanent Representative to the International Organization in Vienna, Molekane, said that if other countries are willing to join the BRICS cooperation mechanism, the BRICS countries will be willing to accept new members.