Wang Yi attends BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

On June 10, 2024 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Nizhny Novgorod.

Wang Yi said that over the past year, BRICS cooperation has been remarkable, rapid and strong. Following BRICS' expansion, a new era for the Global South to gain strength through unity has come, and the appeal and attractiveness of BRICS has been continuously increasing. BRICS countries have stood at the forefront, helped each other succeed, united as one, and accelerated development against headwinds. The BRICS brand is shining brighter, and its voice is more powerful.

Wang Yi pointed out that based on the current circumstances, BRICS should stand high and look far ahead amidst the changes unseen in a century. At present, certain major countries are reverting to a Cold War mentality, cobbling together geopolitical "cliques", openly defying United Nations Security Council resolutions, and eroding the authority of multilateral mechanisms. The practice of politicizing economic issues and arbitrarily linking them to security is running rampant and unilateral sanctions and technological barriers are increasing. In the face of the contest between the forces of building a multipolar world and upholding unipolar hegemony, and the clash between economic globalization and "de-globalization" tendencies, BRICS should follow the trend of history, stand on the side of fairness and justice, and make the right choices. Looking ahead, the greater BRICS must take greater responsibilities and actions. The strategic significance and political effects of the greater BRICS should be fully leveraged to make BRICS a new type of multilateral cooperation mechanism based on emerging markets and developing countries, and open and inclusive to the world.

To that end, first, strengthening confidence in multilateralism to draw a new blueprint for future global development. Wang Yi called for continued efforts to hold high the banner of multilateralism, take the lead in upholding the international system with the United Nations at its core, resolutely resist acts that undermine the international order and violate international rules, and work for an equal and orderly multipolar world and an universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. BRICS should strengthen coordination and cooperation, highlight the "Global South moment" on important international agendas, and place development at the center. They should also promote capacity building in digital economy and artificial intelligence in developing countries to ensure equal participation and equal benefits.

Second, firmly toughening the determination to maintain peace and security to offer new support for the political resolution of hotspot issues. History has repeatedly proved that the Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation and external interference cannot solve problems, but create bigger problems and even crises. No matter how complicated the situation is, dialogue and consultation cannot be abandoned. No matter how acute the conflict is, political settlement must be pursued. Wang Yi urged BRICS to firmly promote the immediate realization of a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza to ease the humanitarian crisis and prevent the spillover of the conflict. He also called for supporting Palestine in becoming a full member of the United Nations, restarting the two-State solution, and achieving lasting peace in the Middle East. As the Ukraine crisis continues unabated, China supports the holding in due course of a genuine peace conference that is recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation of all parties and fair discussion of all peace plans. BRICS should uphold independence, objectivity and fairness, encourage the international community to build consensus for peace, and oppose using this opportunity to instigate a "new Cold War".

Third, staying committed to the BRICS original aspiration of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation to elevate practical cooperation to new heights. Wang Yi called on BRICS to give full play to the resource and market strengths of the greater BRICS, strengthen the supporting role of financial and trade cooperation, ensure the role of energy and food security cooperation, drive innovation cooperation, and act as a bridge for people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to upgrade BRICS practical cooperation and ensure fruitful outcomes at the Kazan Summit. China has set up the China-BRICS AI Development and Cooperation Center to promote industrial synergy, capacity building and cooperation in other areas. The active participation of all countries is welcome.

The participants had an in-depth exchange of views on BRICS cooperation and international and regional hotspot issues. All parties spoke highly of the important role of the BRICS mechanism and the achievements of its membership expansion. They agreed that the accession of more countries to BRICS has accelerated the process of building a multipolar world, and promoted a more just and equitable international order. They also voiced support for the establishment of partner countries. All parties called for adherence to multilateralism, opposition to unilateralism and protectionism, promoting reform of the international financial architecture, enhancing and improving global governance, and increasing the voice and representation of developing countries. All parties emphasized the need for peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and consultations, and their support for all efforts conducive to the peaceful resolution of crises.

A Joint Statement of BRICS Foreign Ministers was issued at the meeting.

During the meeting, Wang met separately with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie, and Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani.