On 22 October, the President of China, Xi Jinping arrived in Kazan, Russia for the 16^th summit of the BRICS bloc. Xi held a meeting with the President of Russia and the host of the summit, Vladimir Putin; wherein he stated that the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Russian Federation had found the right way for neighbouring major countries to get along with each other following the principles of non- alliances, non- confrontations and not targeting any third party. Xi also stated that China and Russia had deepened and expanded their comprehensive strategic coordination and practical cooperation across various fields, following the spirit of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation. Xi also expressed confidence that the friendship between China and Russia would continue to remain close despite global challenges. The Chinese president also informed that China and Russia must make use of multilateral frameworks like the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to improve communication and coordination, and jointly safeguard the international justice system and global strategic stability. Another key point informed by Xi was that he expected to have detailed discussions with leaders participating in the BRICS summit over the future development of the BRICS mechanism, in order to develop a greater consensus and solidarity amongst the bloc and secure more opportunities for the Global South.
 
Chinese media coverage of Xi’s visit?
On 22 October, Xinhua, the flagship news agency of China reported that the President of China, Xi Jinping had stated that the BRICS bloc was an important pillar for the promotion of a multipolar world and fostering an inclusive economic globalization. According to the official BRICS website, the Government of the Russian Federation is focused on integrating the new BRICS members into the official bloc framework, improving trade and investment, and transitioning towards a low-carbon economy during its chairmanship of the bloc. The Director of the BRICS Cooperation Research Centre at Beijing Normal University, Wang Lei stated that BRICS countries were expected to improve their consensus on strategic communication and practical cooperation for the future development of the BRICS bloc. Wang also expressed his hope that BRICS and the broader Global South engaged in productive engagement during the summit to promote shared global development and uphold the effectiveness of multilateral governance systems. The Vice-Rector for International Affairs at the Kazan Federal University, Timirkhan Alishev stated that the Chinese government and Xi put efforts in developing BRICS, with a focus on multilateralism and fostering communication and dialogue on multiple levels.  A researcher at the Walter Sisulu University in South Africa, Zukiswa Roboji informed that BRICS had increased its appeal amongst countries of the Global South, offering better access to financial resources and better opportunities for trade, investment, and development for emerging economies.
 
On 23 October, Global Times reported that Xi had stated during the summit with Putin that the BRICS cooperation mechanism was an essential tool required to promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization; as well as an equitable and orderly multipolar world order. According to experts, the economic strength of China has provided opportunities for BRICS members to engage in mutually beneficial cooperation, and the Chinese emphasis upon multilateralism helps enhance the voices of countries from the Global South. The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Russia Zhang Hanhui stated that the Chinese and Russian governments had maintained close communication and cooperation on key issues like human rights and global governance and the relationship between them helped maintain the global balance of power. A professor at China Foreign Affairs University, Li Haidong informed Global Times that collaboration between China and Russia was essential not only for BRICS to effectively represent the interests of its member countries and countries outside the bloc in a multipolar world; but also, to ensure political solutions for ongoing crises and improve global governance. The Director-General of the Russian International Affairs Council, Andrey Kortunov informed Global Times that BRICS was a key priority for the Chinese government. Kortunov also informed that China had driven the growth of the BRICS bloc through actions like jointly launching the New Development Bank, or with the recent enlargement of BRICS. The Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development, Shakeel Ahmad Ramay informed Global Times that the BRICS bloc presented a ray of opportunity towards independence within the global international system for developing countries, away from the dominance of the developed countries. Ramay also informed that the Chinese government was pursuing the vision of a community with a shared future under the principles of multilateralism within the BRICS bloc, allowing member countries to share in the prosperity and development of China.
 
What are the expectations from the visit?
On 23 October, Global Times published an editorial that expressed hope that the visit by Xi to the BRICS summit was expected to improve cooperation and collaboration between the different countries in the BRICS bloc. According to the editorial, China and the host of the BRICS summit, Russia had maintained a harmonious relationship; and this would help meet the mutual needs of both countries and the unity of the Global South. The editorial stated the cooperation between China and Russia and the cooperation within the BRICS bloc increased possibilities of greater cooperation within the Global South. According to the editorial, a successful BRICS summit would help create more opportunities for the Global South and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future. Another editorial published in Global Times informed that the Kazan summit must be the start of a new chapter for unity and development for the Greater BRICS community. There was an emphasis on ensuring greater cooperation and continuing the progress in development fields already achieved by BRICS.
 
References:
“Xi says China and Russia have found right way for neighbouring major countries to get along,” CGTN, 23 October 2024
Zhao Yusha and Wang Tianmi, “Xi arrives in Kazan for BRICS Summit, meets Putin,” Global Times, 23 October 2024
“Xi highlights BRICS’ role in driving multipolarity, globalization ahead of Kazan Summit,” Xinhua, 23 October 2024
“Sound and steady growth of China-Russia relations benefits BRICS and the world: Global Times editorial,” Global Times, 23 October 2024
“‘Greater BRICS is an express train of development  for ‘Global South’: Global Times editorial,” Global Times, 22 October 2024