Chinese President Xi Jinping said the world should oppose unilateral sanctions and the efforts of some countries to maintain their political and military power: a veiled shot at the United States and its allies in the face. opposition to the war in Ukraine.
Xi’s remarks Thursday at the virtual meeting of leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, collectively known as the BRICS, reflect China’s tacit support for Russia in the Ukraine war. and its desire to form an international alliance opposed to the US-led Liberal Democratic Order.
Nations must “reject the Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation, oppose unilateral sanctions and the abuse of sanctions, and reject small circles built around hegemony by forming a large family belonging to a community with a shared future for humanity, ”Xi quoted. says the official Xinhua news agency.
“As representatives of important emerging markets and major developing countries, at a critical time in historical development, it is important for the world that we make the right decisions and take responsible action.”
The BRICS meeting came amid growing concerns about the global economic outlook and a growing political divide between China and India.
Although no agenda has been published for the two-day talks, it is likely that Ukraine will appear largely in the background.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed “the thoughtless and selfish actions of certain states” on the global economic crisis, adding that “honest and mutually beneficial cooperation” is the only way out of the situation.
“This crisis situation that has taken shape in the global economy [is] caused by the thoughtless and selfish actions of certain states that, using financial mechanisms, essentially shift the blame for their own mistakes in macroeconomic policy around the world, ”Putin said.
The Russian leader also said the influence of the BRICS globally “is constantly increasing” as member countries deepened their cooperation and worked for “a truly multipolar system of interstate relations.”
Counter the US-led order
China has refused to condemn the invasion of Russia while criticizing sanctions imposed on Moscow.
India has bought large quantities of Russian oil at a sharp discount, and South Africa abstained in a United Nations vote to condemn Russia’s actions.
Along with Xi, Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro joined the talks.
China has tried to use the BRICS meetings to further its vision of an alliance to counter the US-led liberal democratic world order while expanding its economic and political footprint.
This has produced few tangible results, but Xi remains committed to the idea of an alternative, mostly authoritarian, mode of global governance, investing heavily in countries like Cambodia while repressing civil rights in Hong Kong and increasing its army to enforce the its territorial claims in the South China Sea and threats to annex Taiwan by force.
“Irresistible historical trend”
In an address to the BRICS Economic Summit on Wednesday, Xi said the conflict in Ukraine has “sounded an alarm for humanity,” continuing its formal position of neutrality while supporting its ally Russia.
Xi said the imposition of sanctions could act as a “boomerang” and a “double-edged sword,” and the global community would suffer from “politicizing, mechanizing, and arming” global economic trends and financial flows.
“Economic globalization is an objective requirement for the development of the productive forces and an irresistible historical trend,” Xi said.
The BRICS collective was founded in 2009 when countries were seen as the potential engine for future global economic growth.
Since then, South Africa and Brazil have seen their economies embroiled in crisis, while China’s growth has slowed sharply and Russia has been embroiled in its invasion of Ukraine and punishing the economic sanctions imposed. for the West.
Meanwhile, China and India clashed over their controversial border and New Delhi’s defense partnership with the US, Japan and Australia in what is known as The Quad. Skirmishes along the border sparked a major clash in 2020 that left casualties on both sides.