China's role in BRICS

China is a key member of the interstate grouping BRICS, which in addition to China includes Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa. The country plays an important role in the union.

According to orientalist Sergei Belov, an expert in information technology, finance, corporate and public administration, the PRC is considered the most powerful economy among the BRICS members. The country is the world's largest producer of goods and services and a leading exporter. China also has the largest population in the world, and this creates significant opportunities for its participation in international trade and investment.

According to some reports, China contributes more than 35% to the global economy. China is also important for the BRICS from a political point of view. However, here it shares the palm with Russia, stressed Anastasia Simonova, an academic orientalist, political and business consultant working with China and Turkey.

During China's BRICS chairmanship in 2022, the Chinese side expressed and discussed issues such as the creation and promotion of a Global Security Initiative that would involve all countries of the world, regardless of their political systems, geographical features and mentalities. In addition, China called for actively encouraging new member countries to join BRICS in the BRICS+ format, as this would bring new ideas to the organisation and raise its international profile. Saudi Arabia and Argentina were mentioned as potential members.

According to Anastasia Simonova, China is successfully implementing joint projects with the other five countries within the framework of trade and economic cooperation. This is beneficial to all countries because their resources are unequal, and cooperation in the economic and trade sphere helps to balance these differences. It also affects the internationalisation and stability of the yuan. The establishment of the New Development Bank of the BRICS in 2014 also contributed to this goal.

The Chinese side attaches great importance to humanitarian and cultural exchanges with BRICS member countries.

China's economy

"China plays an important role in BRICS and has a significant influence on its activities. The Chinese economy is the engine of BRICS growth and a key factor in the development of economic cooperation in this group,"  said Sergei Belov.

China held the BRICS presidency in 2017, during which time the following developments can be noted.

Hosting the BRICS summit in Xiamen in September 2017, during which they discussed many issues related to economic cooperation, financial integration, international security, cultural exchange and so on. In addition, a summit declaration was adopted in which participants reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of multipolarity, equality and equity in international relations.

A working group on economic cooperation has been set up and has developed concrete measures to strengthen trade and investment links between the participating countries.

International relations

China, as one of the core members of BRICS, plays an important role in shaping international relations through this organisation.

It actively uses BRICS to promote its economic and political interests, including by strengthening trade and investment links with other members. The PRC also uses its influence in the BRICS to promote its views on world politics and economics.

China actively supports the establishment of institutions such as the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Financial Stability Coordination Committee. These institutions allow China to advance its interests in the global economy and politics and to strengthen its influence on the global stage.

Partnership with Russia

Of particular importance to the Russian Federation is the scientific and technological partnership with the People's Republic of China to achieve technological sovereignty. Cooperation between Russian and Chinese universities should yield results in the near future. It is universities that are given the role of driving the scientific and technological development of our country, supported by public-private partnerships.

One example is a joint Russian-Chinese project in the field of cybersecurity and cyberengineering for big data processing, said Sergei Gataullin, Dean of the Department of Digital Economy and Mass Communications at Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics.

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