Calls for peace, innovation and justice in the interests of all, experts say

 

President Xi Jinping delivers an important speech titled "Combining the Great Strength of the Global South To Build Together a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind" at the "BRICS Plus" leaders' dialogue in Kazan, Russia, Oct 24, 2024.  

The speeches delivered by President Xi Jinping at the 16th BRICS Summit were pivotal for advancing global peace and cooperation, and his vision of building BRICS into an important platform for strengthening solidarity and cooperation is in the interests of all, global experts said.

Xi visited Russia from Oct 22 to 24 to attend the 16th BRICS Summit, held in Kazan. During the summit, he called on BRICS countries to build a BRICS that is committed to peace, innovation, green development, justice and closer people-to-people exchanges.

He also said that BRICS countries should be defenders of common security, pioneers of high-quality development, promoters of sustainable development, forerunners in reforming global governance, and advocates for harmonious coexistence among all civilizations.

Karori Singh, former director and emeritus fellow of the South Asia Studies Centre at the University of Rajasthan in India, said that what Xi has called for is in the interests of all.

He said Xi's words imply a recognition of diversity and multilateralism in countries' behavior while conducting their foreign policy. Such willingness and commitment by China also imply that the country is ready to make its contribution to "ensuring common security, sustainable development and reforming global governance through bilateral and multilateral cooperation", Singh said.

He added that Xi has also clarified that BRICS is not against any other existing organizations, but rather supplements the cause of other organizations and institutions "in a more egalitarian and democratic manner with a greater sense of equity and empathy toward all — whether rich or poor, strong or weak".

During the summit, Xi called for joint efforts to build BRICS into a primary channel for strengthening solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations as well as a vanguard for advancing global governance reform.

Francisco Dominguez, former head of research on Latin American Studies at Middlesex University in the United Kingdom, said that the 16th BRICS Summit was a robust stride toward building global multilateral collaboration, peace, development and prosperity, with the Global South being the main beneficiary.

Adhere Cavince, a Nairobi, Kenya-based international relations scholar, said that this year's BRICS summit marked a major development in the pursuit of inclusive and functional multilateralism.

"The world is currently embroiled in many conflicts, and some big countries are turning inside and elevating ultranationalism. ... The Chinese leader's call for upholding world peace through targeted reforms of global governance structures, joint promotion of green development, and cultivation of intercultural amity is quite welcome," Cavince said.

Experts also spoke highly of the principles put forward by President Xi for resolving ongoing global conflicts.

Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, president of the Center of Pak-China Corridor of Knowledge and executive director of the Center for South Asia& International Studies in Islamabad, Pakistan, said that regarding the de-escalation of the Ukraine crisis as soon as possible, Xi's emphasis on upholding the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting and no provocation by any party is an approach in the right direction.

He also lauded Xi's unremitting efforts toward a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question, which offers hope for peace and an immediate cease-fire.