China plays an important and unique role among BRICS countries in leading the Global South and promoting multilateralism, said Gustavo de Carvalho, a senior researcher at the South African Institute of International Affairs.
While participating in the BRICS Plus leaders' dialogue during the final day of the Kazan summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that the collective rise of the Global South is a distinctive feature of the great transformation across the world.
"We support more Global South countries in joining the cause of BRICS as full members, partner countries or in the 'BRICS Plus' format so that we can combine the great strength of the Global South to build together a community with a shared future for mankind," Xi said.
No matter how the international landscape evolves, said the Chinese president, "we in China will always keep the Global South in our heart, and maintain our roots in the Global South."
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Gustavo de Carvalho spoke highly of Xi's speech.
"He talks a lot about this fragmented global context and challenges that countries not only China, but also emerging countries and countries from the Global South are facing from this increasing polarization, but also positioning China to a certain degree to be able to further engage with other BRICS members when it comes to specific issues, whether it's in relation to green development, whether it's in in relation to this what he calls this high quality development, type of approach which very much comes together with narratives that we've seen here in Africa, for instance, the idea of not just engaging with trade, but also inserting the continents in a more high value portion of the global supply chains. I think that brings a very important process but also that it allows that diversity and varieties of views that we have within BRICS to still be accommodated in positions, for instance, like the ones that China presented," said Gustavo de Carvalho.
The first-ever summit of an expanded BRICS took place from Tuesday to Thursday in Kazan, the capital city of western Russia's Republic of Tatarstan.
BRICS began with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and has now evolved into an influential international cooperation mechanism with an expanded membership.
Besides the countries that officially joined the BRICS family on Jan 1, 2024, over 30 countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Türkiye and Azerbaijan have either formally applied for or expressed interest in the membership.
China plays key role in pursuing true multilateralism: expert
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Amman on Monday with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, for discussions on bilateral ties and the situation in the Middle East.
Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Jordan strategic partnership, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Jordanian King Abdullah II, bilateral ties have developed healthily and steadily, bilateral cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results, and the connotation of the strategic partnership has been continuously enriched.
China supports Jordan in safeguarding its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity, in playing a unique and important role in regional and global affairs, and in pursuing a path of national revitalization that brings prosperity to the country and well-being to its people, Wang said.
China will remain a trustworthy and reliable friend and partner of Jordan, Wang said, noting that under the new circumstances, both sides should jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and elevate bilateral relations to new levels.
Wang said China is willing to maintain close, high-level exchanges with the Jordanian side, enhance communication between the diplomatic departments of the two countries, and jointly plan exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
The Chinese side welcomed Jordanian leaders to attend the second China-Arab States Summit to be held in China in 2026, Wang said.
Highlighting the smooth progress of bilateral practical cooperation, Wang said China is willing to continue its support for Jordan's economic and social development, import more high-quality Jordanian products, and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Jordan.
The two sides should also explore cooperation in emerging fields such as photovoltaics, science and technology, and artificial intelligence, further deepen exchanges in culture, tourism, education, and civil aviation, and promote mutual understanding among peoples from both countries, Wang said.
Wang noted that the current situation in the Middle East is complex and severe, with various conflicts intertwined.
Whether the region escalates into further confrontation or moves toward peaceful negotiations tests the choices and responsibilities of all parties, he said, adding that achieving regional peace and stability is in the interests of all countries in the region and is what the people genuinely hope for.
Jordan is a stabilizing force in the Middle East, and plays a positive and constructive role on hot-spot issues such as the Palestinian issue, Wang said, noting that China is willing to enhance communication and coordination with Jordan to jointly maintain regional peace, stability and development.
For his part, Safadi said Jordan has always regarded China as a great friend and strategic partner, and highly appreciates China's increasingly important role as a major country in international and regional affairs.
Jordan firmly adheres to the one-China principle, which is a solemn political commitment that will never change, he said.
Jordan attaches great importance to developing ties with China, and is willing to strengthen exchanges with China at all levels, formulate a roadmap for bilateral cooperation, vigorously promote economic and trade cooperation, expand cooperation in emerging fields such as green energy and scientific and technological innovation, achieve more substantive results, and promote the continuous and in-depth development of the strategic partnership between the two countries, Safadi said.
Underlining the instability in Gaza, Safadi said Jordan highly commends China for upholding justice on the Palestinian issue and making a just voice heard in the international community.
Jordan looks forward to continuing communication and coordination with China to make greater efforts in promoting a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, and achieving regional peace and stability, he added.
Chinese, Jordanian FMs meet to discuss bilateral, Middle East issues
