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Attracted by the openness and inclusiveness of BRICS, more countries have decided to apply to join the group, which reflects the shared aspiration of developing countries to focus on their own development, seek unity and cooperation, and oppose external interference.

Experts have highlighted the significance of this expected expansion and the potential benefits it holds.

Home to over 40 percent of the world’s population and about a quarter of the global economy, the BRICS has become a force of attraction for many developing countries.

BRICS is the grouping of the world’s leading emerging market economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

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It is significant both as the first in-person BRICS gathering in more than three years and one which pools wisdom from beyond the five major emerging national economies — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The world has been keeping tabs on this year’s summit, which brings African countries together for a bigger pie of the global economy and to fill up the considerable gap in global governance.

Notably, more than 40 countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Argentina and Bangladesh, have signaled their intent for BRICS membership. The growing list of aspirants queuing up to join the grouping, initially composed of the five emerging markets, speaks to its allure and inclusiveness.

This is not tall talk. BRICS countries have a combined population of over 3.2 billion people, accounting for some 40 percent of the world’s roughly 8 billion population. Together, they represent a quarter of the global GDP and account for 16 percent of world trade.

By incorporating African countries in this year’s talks, BRICS delivers the message that multilateralism and common development must include the Global South. These emerging markets are becoming an essential driving force for global growth and promoting more democratic international relations.

“BRICS has tapped into a demand that wasn’t being met elsewhere,” said Rebecca Ray, a senior researcher at the Boston University Global Development Policy Center. Many are pinning hopes on these “BRICS Plus” hopefuls to bring fresh blood to the grouping as it expands its representation for a large group of developing countries feeling undervalued or left behind by a Western-dominated world.

Such a world is malfunctioning. The pandemic, for instance, has laid bare the ingrained structural inequalities and an incapable and indifferent West. Not to mention a global climate response, among other Sustainable Development Goals. It is under question if wealthy and resourceful developed countries can genuinely deliver on their promises with reliable leadership.

The Global South, reeling from the shocks of the coronavirus, an ongoing Ukraine crisis and the U.S. Fed’s aggressive rate hikes, has come to its senses: The only viable way out is self-strengthening and interdependence with like-minded nations aboard the same boat.

The crux of the global woes is “economic concentration that leaves too many nations at the mercy of too few,” Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said, urging the gathering to “send out a strong message that the world is multipolar, that it is rebalancing.”

Increasingly, BRICS is seen as a mechanism that can help fix the flawed global system that lacks transparency, justice and fairness.

Many countries in the Global South seek an alternative to the current world order, dominated by a collection of alliances led by the United States and marred by divisive geopolitical issues. They look to the BRICS nations to speak up for their overlooked development rights.

Over the years, cooperation has expanded on multiple fronts, underpinned by the New Development Bank. Established in 2015, the bank is a supporting facility to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects.

Figures released by the bank earlier this year showed that it has approved nearly a hundred projects with a total value of 33.2 billion U.S. dollars, significantly contributing to its member countries’ economic and social development and bolstering its own green and sustainable credentials.

Meanwhile, BRICS members have advocated a partnership on the new industrial revolution to deepen cooperation in digitalization, industrialization and innovation. This helps smooth the flow of goods and services and stabilize the industrial and supply chains amid protectionist tech curbs and rising decoupling moves from the West.

Indeed, BRICS countries gather not in a closed club or an exclusive circle but in a big family of mutual support and win-win cooperation. This calling card alone distinguishes itself from many other groupings, which are either self-serving or hijacked by Cold War thinking.

“One key issue for the BRICS to consider is global governance. There is a need to change the current system, which is unfair and asymmetric. In particular, the architecture of the financial system needs a major reform,” Carlos Maria Correa, executive director of the South Center, told Xinhua.

Through years of development, BRICS has proven as an inspiring model of harmony in diversity, exemplifying how countries with divergent interests and cultures can form a coherent whole with shared cravings for recovery, resilience and broader representation.

As a key founding member and growth contributor, China has pushed for practical cooperation within the grouping. Official data shows China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years, which speaks to its pivotal role at this year’s gathering. With its ample development track record and experience in poverty alleviation, China has much to offer the Global South.

The time has come for the world’s often-ignored nations to have a say in global affairs. The BRICS summit in Johannesburg is the perfect place to start.

“China’s role in boosting BRICS is essential in light of the several initiatives proposed by Beijing in the past few years, including the Belt and Road, Global Development, and Global Security,” Mokhtar Ghobashy, deputy chairman of the Cairo-based Arab Center for Political and Strategic Studies, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Those initiatives have certainly sped up development and stability in the world and enhanced the strength and pace of the global economy, Ghobashy added.

Over the past 17 years since its establishment, BRICS, an emerging-market grouping that comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has become an all-round and multi-level framework, accounting for some 40 percent of the world population and about a quarter of the global GDP.

As an attractive gathering, more and more countries desire to join BRICS, which signals its economic force, he said.

Moreover, Ghobashy pointed out, most of the countries that officially requested to join BRICS are economic and political powers with regional influence like Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

When a country like Saudi Arabia, the largest oil producer in the world, bids to join, it will certainly add great momentum to the grouping, he added.

The expert attributes the BRICS bloc’s attractiveness to the fact that it provides “unconditional development opportunities for countries.”

“Joining the bloc will increase investments and trade exchange between its member states, and the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) could offer soft loans,” he said.

He noted that cooperation among BRICS member states is a model to learn from, and many countries are passionate to join it because the gathering does not have geographic barriers, adding that it comprises countries from Asia, Africa, and South America.

The NDB, with an initial authorized capital amounting to 100 billion U.S. dollars, funds development opportunities worldwide, Ghobashy added.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, together with South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor, and Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, warmly greeted Xi at the OR Tambo International Airport of Johannesburg.

A group of South African women presented Xi with flowers, honor guards saluted him, and people dressed in South African traditional costumes performed dances.

President Ramaphosa warmly welcomed Xi for his state visit to South Africa.

Xi said that he is very glad to visit South Africa again and looks forward to having in-depth exchanges of views with Ramaphosa on deepening China-South Africa relations and issues of common interest.

In a written speech, Xi extended heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of South Africa on behalf of the Chinese people. Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa, Xi emphasized that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has entered a new stage.

A solid and growing China-South Africa relationship not only benefits the two peoples, but also brings more stability to a world which is undergoing transformation and turbulence, Xi said, adding that he believes with the two sides’ concerted efforts, the visit will definitely be a complete success.

The BRICS cooperation mechanism, a key cooperation platform for emerging markets and major developing countries, has become a constructive force for the world’s economic growth, better global governance and greater democracy in international relations, said Xi.

He is confident that the upcoming BRICS summit will become an important milestone in the development of the BRICS mechanism, and help take the unity and cooperation of developing countries to a higher level, Xi added.

Xi also noted that he looks forward to attending the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue, where he will explore ways together with African leaders for closer cooperation, greater development and a more peaceful world.

Xi’s entourage, including Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and director of the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister, arrived on the same plane.

Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Chen Xiaodong greeted the delegation at the airport.

At midnight, when Xi’s motorcade was on its way from the airport to the hotel, overseas Chinese gathered on the streets along the way, waving national flags of the two countries and holding banners such as “Long live China-South Africa friendship” to warmly welcome Xi’s visit.

Ahead of his trip, Xi replied to a letter from the faculty and students of the Confucius Institute at Durban University of Technology in South Africa, encouraging them to learn the Chinese language well and contribute to carrying forward the China-South Africa friendship and promoting friendly cooperation between the two countries.

In his letter, Xi said that he witnessed the establishment of the Confucius Institute 10 years ago and was pleased to see that, through the joint efforts of both sides, the educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries have yielded fruitful results.

The interaction shows the great importance that Xi attaches to promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges among BRICS countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

In his speech at the plenary session of the BRICS Xiamen Summit in 2017, Xi devoted one section to expounding on how he views the cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Citing an ancient Chinese saying, “amity between the people holds the key to sound state-to-state relations,” Xi said enhancing the exchanges among peoples of BRICS countries and seeing the spirit of partnership embraced by all the people in these countries is a worthy cause that deserves enduring commitment.

“A job well done in this regard will keep BRICS cooperation vibrant,” he stressed.

Over the years, Xi has personally supported the efforts to boost cultural and people-to-people exchanges among BRICS countries.

Xi has shared stories in this regard in speeches delivered during trips to the other four BRICS countries. He lauded Carlos Tavares, a Brazilian expert on China, for enabling more people to understand China through his books, articles and speeches. In a speech delivered during a trip to India, Xi also cited verses by Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore that had inspired him.

Among Xi’s numerous interactions with people from these countries was a congratulatory message he sent in 2017 to celebrate the inaugural semester of Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, the first joint Sino-Russian university. He encouraged education officials and teachers from both countries to contribute to Sino-Russian educational cooperation and bilateral friendship.

Thanks to China’s active participation and vigorous promotion, BRICS cooperation has transitioned from a framework driven by the “two wheels” of politics and economy to the “triple pillars” of political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

In recent years, cultural and people-to-people exchanges have notably gained momentum, and the activities of such exchanges are taking place regularly and have been institutionalized.

There has been a wide range of activities, from the BRICS media forums, film festivals, and cultural festivals, to women’s innovation contests, and technical and vocational education programs. This rich variety demonstrates that BRICS countries are committed to creating a broad landscape for cross-regional and cross-cultural exchanges.

They have not only accelerated the advancement of the BRICS cooperation mechanism but also presented a “BRICS model” for fostering inclusiveness and mutual learning among different civilizations.

Xi is visiting at the invitation of President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa. While in South Africa, the two leaders will co-chair the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue.

Xi’s entourage includes Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and director of the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister, among others.

This year’s summit, to be held in South Africa from Aug. 22 to 24, champions the theme “Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism.”

That spirit, BRICS officials say, has sparked the interest of some 40 countries from the Global South in joining the group.

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At the forthcoming summit, leaders are expected to discuss the BRICS group’s expansion, including the admission criteria and the guiding principles, Carlos Maria Correa, executive director of the South Center, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

“Twenty-two countries have formally approached BRICS countries to become full members. There’s an equal number of countries that have been informally asking about becoming BRICS members,” said Anil Sooklal, South Africa’s BRICS ambassador.

Algeria is among the latest countries to show their interest. “We officially applied to join the BRICS group, and we sent a letter asking to be shareholder members in the bank (New Development Bank),” Ennahar TV, an Arabic broadcaster, quoted Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as saying on July 22.

According to Mainichi Shimbun, a Japanese daily, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria and other oil-producing countries have also made applications. Once approved, the BRICS members will cover over half of the world’s oil and gas resources.

“Many countries in the Global South have sought to come together in order to work towards a more just and inclusive world order … BRICS inspires many countries to come together again in order to advance this vision,” said Kenneth Creamer, a senior lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand, during a recent interview with Xinhua.

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In June this year, French President Emmanuel Macron once voiced his intention to attend the upcoming summit following his talks with South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor.

This is where the charm of BRICS lies. The bloc has become a positive, stable and constructive force in international affairs.

Several emerging economies, for instance, are financially distressed due to the IMF’s stringent economic policies, said Deutsche Welle, Germany’s state-owned broadcaster. It noted that the New Development Bank and the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement could support economies with payment difficulties.

“The New Development Bank is the most prominent achievement. It’s also led to some increased trade between the countries, and won some international attention,” said Daniel Bradlow, a University of Pretoria professor who has studied the group.

Above all, BRICS defends multipolarity and multilateralism, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said. By doing so, “BRICS countries are countering the concept of the Cold War and opening up the possibility of a more equitable and just international order that benefits the world.”

“In an increasingly polarised world, BRICS is creating an enabling avenue for countries to fashion a more inclusive political and economic order,” said Cavince Adhere, a Kenyan international relations scholar.

Many countries are tired of the United States’ virtual domination of the global economy for decades, the Spanish website Rebelion said. Failure to comply with Washington’s directives results in sanctions and financial blackmail.

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With potential members down the road, cross-border trade within the group would become more efficient and catch the eye of more investors. The prospect of a BRICS-issued currency is a possibility.

“Its members would likely be able to produce a wider range of goods than any existing monetary union,” said Foreign Policy, an American news publication, while remarking on the prospective currency. “Because each member of the BRICS grouping is an economic heavyweight in its own region, countries around the world would likely be willing to do business in the hypothetical money.”

As Bangladesh, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay were added as new members of the BRICS New Development Bank, there’s bound to be even fairer and more accessible international trade as the four countries lie on three continents.

“For new entrants, being part of BRICS could expand their diplomatic influence and open up lucrative trade and investment opportunities,” the Washington Post said in a recent article.

In an interview with the TASS news agency, Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko, South Africa’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, said BRICS is happy to accept new members who express interest in joining.

“BRICS is committed to upholding multilateralism, reforming the global governance system and has consistently advocated for the developing countries to be fairly treated in the international arena,” Gerald Mbanda, an Africa-China cooperation expert, told Xinhua.

“This is the reason I believe that the BRICS is undoubtedly an avenue for accelerated growth with increased trade and investment opportunities,” Mbanda said.

Garcia, a Brazilian professor of international relations, made the remarks in a recent interview with Xinhua on the upcoming BRICS summit to be held in South Africa from Tuesday to Thursday.

BRICS has a global role to play to balance international relations and seeks to accumulate economic and technological power, as well as an intellectual, moral, ideological capacity to build new consensuses, she said.

Garcia explained that regarding climate change, the need for technological development focused on energy and climate issues, and the need for public policies aimed at serving the most vulnerable populations, thus BRICS will have a very relevant role in the current period.

BRICS countries offer opportunities that can generate other consequences that were neither foreseen nor desired in a capitalist system, she said, noting that BRICS needs to improve South-South cooperation.

In this sense, she highlighted China has been already providing very important aid to the African continent.

“It is necessary not only to reach top-down governmental agreements with South-South cooperation projects, but also to open spaces for participation, dialogue, exchange and audits of local populations and other actors involved in the projects so that the countries of the Global South have a voice,” she said.

On cooperation among BRICS countries, Garcia said, “BRICS needs to create institutions and common spaces where there are technology transfer and development of vaccines, technologies for sustainable development and energy transition, programs and policies that can help.”

To reform the multilateral institutions that exist today is what BRICS countries need to do for “more of a voice,” she said, noting that it is necessary for the member countries of considerable relevance in regional and global terms to be represented, countries that consider global problems and responses, not just individual issues.

On expectations for the BRICS summit, she commented that it should address “the accession of new members” into the grouping, which currently unites Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, among other issues of common interest.

Guided by the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, member nations have enhanced cooperation to promote economic recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the experts.

China’s foreign trade with other BRICS countries — Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa — soared 19.1 percent year on year to 2.38 trillion yuan (about 330.62 billion U.S. dollars) in the first seven months of 2023, data from the General Administration of Customs showed Monday. This accounted for 10.1 percent of China’s total foreign trade value during the period, marking a rise of 1.6 percentage points.

Specifically, China’s exports to these countries totaled 1.23 trillion yuan, up 23.9 percent year on year, while its imports reached 1.15 trillion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 14.3 percent.

According to Dr. Kenneth Creamer, an economist from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, “the main objective of BRICS is to encourage increased levels of trade and cooperation among member countries and BRICS has been successful in advancing this objective since its first meeting.”

“Increased cooperation in sectors such as energy and agriculture can play an important role in lifting levels of economic growth and employment in BRICS member countries. Increased trade and cooperation among BRICS countries can also assist in promoting economic recovery after the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Creamer, who is also a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

Regarding the China-South Africa cooperation, Dr. Creamer said China and South Africa should build on existing strong relations to seek to better integrate the countries’ manufacturing and supply chains to aid development and opportunity in both countries.

In the first half of the year, bilateral trade between China and South Africa reached 28.25 billion U.S. dollars, up 11.7 percent year on year, official data showed. China has maintained its position as South Africa’s largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years, while South Africa has been China’s largest trading partner in Africa for 13 consecutive years.

“Chinese enterprises should be encouraged to use South Africa as a base country from which to manufacture, assemble and deliver products and services for sale in other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Dr. Creamer said.

China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years. The two sides have together constructed and commissioned over 10,000 km of railway, nearly 100,000 km of highway, and an array of important infrastructure projects, including airports, docks, bridges and power plants, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce.

Speaking to Xinhua, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, said they are looking at the BRICS summit to bring in more tourists. “It’s a major event. We’re expecting it to boost our tourism.”

“We need to focus on countries like China to bring more tourists to the country. That’s where our growth in terms of tourists will come from; we need to look beyond the traditional areas,” Tshivhengwa added.

Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist and researcher at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, pointed out that China has one of the biggest markets in the world in terms of agricultural products.

“South Africa is one of the countries that is also trying to deepen its exports into China, which is something that is part and parcel of the discussions that are happening within the various BRICS business working groups,” Sihlobo said.

Themed “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism,” this summit will carry forward the sound momentum of cooperation from the BRICS “China Year” 2022 and chart a brighter future for BRICS.

“The summit is of great significance for advancing practical cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries in various fields, promoting global governance reform, and enhancing the representation and voice of developing countries,” said Li Wentao, a researcher with the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.

Li added that against the backdrop of major global changes, the solidarity and cooperation among BRICS countries will bring more certainty to an uncertain world.