Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday during the BRICS summit in Kazan. He announced that the strategic partnership of the People's Republic of China and Russia is a stabilizing force in a world plunged into chaos. The leaders announced a “new era” in their countries' relations.
– Currently, the world is going through changes that have not been seen in 100 years, and international relations are in chaos. However, I still believe that friendship between… China and Russia will last for generations, said the Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the BRICS summit in Kazan.
Vladimir Putin called the Chinese leader a “dear friend.” He also stated that “Russian-Chinese cooperation in global affairs is one of the main stabilizing factors.” – We intend to further strengthen cooperation on many levels to ensure global security and just order in the world – he added.
As Reuters writes, both leaders announced the arrival of a “new era” in Beijing-Moscow relations.
Xi declared that the cooperation of the BRICS countries is “today the most important platform (of action – ed.) in the world for solidarity and cooperation of emerging economies and developing countries.”
He also recognized BRICS as a force working to realize an “equal and orderly” “multipolar” world policy and an “inclusive and tolerant” globalization.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the BRICS summit in Kazan Alexander Kryazhev/PAP/EPA
Putin talks to the leaders of the BRICS countries
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also met with Putin, calling Russia a “valuable friend” and “valuable ally.” He also said that Moscow had supported the residents' struggle “from the beginning”. South Africa with apartheid.
He added that he was “very happy” to be in Russia and to talk with the leaders of the BRICS countries about “political issues (…), trade, climate change, peace and security.”
Putin announced that relations between South Africa and Russia “are based on the principles of strategic global partnership (…) and dialogue is developing.”
Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin during the BRICS summitAlexander Kryazhev/PAP/EPA
“Alternative world order” in Kazan
On Tuesday, the 16th annual three-day summit of the BRICS bloc countries began in Kazan, the capital of Russian Tatarstan, led by Putin, who wants to prove to the world that the Kremlin is not isolated in the international arena.
According to experts, this bloc is an attempt to create an alternative order to the West, undertaken mainly by Russia and China. The official goals of the BRICS existence include, among others: creation of a new currency system and reform UN. Before the summit in Kazan, information appeared that China wanted to present an “alternative world order” there.
The bloc brings together countries whose combined income exceeds one third of global GDP and whose population constitutes 45 percent. Earth's population. In 2020, the GDP of the BRICS countries exceeded the economic growth of the G7 countries.
10 countries cooperate in the bloc. Initially they were: BrazilChina, IndiaRussia and South Africa, and in 2024 it was joined by the following: Saudi ArabiaEgypt, Ethiopia, Iran and United Arab Emirates.
Main photo source: Alexander Kryazhev/PAP/EPA