How can we achieve high-quality development after expanding the membership of the BRICS?

BRICS expansion! On the morning of the 24th local time, the 15th meeting of BRICS leaders held a special press conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, announcing the invitation to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Iran, and Ethiopia to officially become members of the BRICS family.

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This is a historic expansion and one of the most important achievements of the BRICS summit, reflecting the determination of BRICS countries to unite and cooperate with developing countries. During an interview with International Review, relevant experts pointed out that these six new BRICS members have their own industrial advantages and strong economic complementarity, which will make the industrial structure of BRICS countries more complete in manufacturing, food, energy, services, and fully tap into the potential of BRICS cooperation.

The expansion of the BRICS has played an important leading role from the inception of ideas to the realization of reality. At the 2017 Xiamen BRICS Summit, China innovatively proposed the "BRICS+" cooperation model. At the 2022 Beijing BRICS Summit, China clearly stated that the process of expanding BRICS membership should be promoted. Many emerging markets and developing countries are enthusiastic, with over 20 countries submitting applications to join. Nowadays, the historic expansion of BRICS members not only confirms the attractiveness of the BRICS cooperation mechanism, but also reflects the expectations of emerging markets and developing countries for cooperation.

Expand political security cooperation and maintain peace and tranquility; Strengthen cultural exchanges and promote mutual learning among civilizations; Adhere to fairness and justice, and improve global governance. These four proposals will help BRICS countries strengthen cooperation, promote high-quality partnerships, and drive global governance change towards a more just and reasonable direction. Former senior South African diplomat Gert Grobler stated that he expects China to continue to play a leading role in promoting BRICS countries to jointly address challenges and seek peaceful development.

The golden brick elements on the streets of Johannesburg.

Currently, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change, with an increase in uncertain, unstable, and unpredictable factors. As representatives of emerging markets, the BRICS countries are building "high-quality partnerships", which means that their cooperation is of high quality. They can not only cope with the current challenges of weakened global economic recovery momentum, but also align with the trend of the times and technological development, and take the initiative in development. How to achieve this? The Chinese side has provided a specific plan.

Nowadays, the digital economy and green development have become new driving forces for global economic growth. The Global Digital Economy Development Index Report jointly released by the Institute of Finance, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and other institutions in May showed that the average score of this index increased from 45.33 in 2013 to 57.01 in 2021, with a growth rate of 26%. At this summit, China emphasized the focus on practical cooperation, especially in areas such as digital economy, green development, and supply chain, to promote exchanges and exchanges in the fields of economy, trade, finance, and finance, and to point out the direction for BRICS economic cooperation.

The Chinese side also proposed to establish a "China BRICS New Era Science and Technology Innovation Incubation Park" and explore the establishment of a "BRICS Global Remote Sensing Satellite Data and Application Cooperation Platform", aiming to promote BRICS cooperation through scientific and technological innovation and promote high-quality common development of the BRICS.

Political security cooperation is another important aspect. Security is a prerequisite for development. But now, the Cold War mentality is lingering, the geopolitical situation is severe, and some countries in the United States and the West are forming cliques to provoke confrontation, causing people to feel seriously insecure. "Mutual support on issues related to each other's core interests", "strengthening coordination on major international and regional issues", "cooling down hot issues"... China's proposal to expand BRICS political and security cooperation reflects the common voice of peace loving people around the world, which is conducive to BRICS adhering to the general direction of peaceful development and contributing its own strength to maintaining world peace.

At the same time, high-quality cooperation among BRICS countries is also reflected in enhancing the voice of developing countries. "We must fully leverage the role of the New Development Bank, promote the reform of the international financial and monetary system, and enhance the representation and voice of developing countries." This is China's consistent position. As of now, the loan amount of New Development Bank has reached 35 billion US dollars, approved nearly 100 projects in member countries, and provided new options outside the Western dominated world financial system. In the future, better leveraging the role of the New Development Bank is of strategic significance for promoting a more balanced and inclusive new international financial order and practicing true multilateralism. The European website Modern Diplomacy published an article pointing out that the rise of the BRICS countries represents a new world order, and under the leadership of the BRICS countries, the "global south" is accelerating its rise.

There is a saying in Africa that goes, "A single log cannot build a house." Openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation are the essence of the "BRICS spirit" and the password for the stable and far-reaching implementation of the BRICS cooperation mechanism. Taking expansion as a new starting point, cooperation among BRICS countries is moving towards high-quality development, which will further strengthen the power of world peace and development.