China has shown a clear willingness to cooperate with Russia to strengthen BRICS influence and support a BRICS summit led by Moscow in 2024. This stance was reportedly conveyed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a phone discussion with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, a detail shared by TASS.
Wang Yi affirmed China’s full support for Russia as BRICS president for the year and expressed readiness to work closely with Moscow to raise the bloc’s international standing. The message highlighted Beijing’s commitment to broader multilateral engagement and to delivering concrete outcomes within the BRICS framework.
The Chinese official also indicated that Beijing is pursuing new, higher-quality multilateral cooperation, especially in areas that foster greater regional and global integration. This approach fits into China’s broader plan to expand collaborative mechanisms and promote stable cross-border partnerships.
Earlier reporting from Bloomberg suggested that adding members such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to BRICS could reduce dependency on the dollar and help blunt Western sanctions. The analysis noted that a rising share of New Development Bank loans is denominated in local currencies, signaling a shift toward financial flows less tied to Washington’s currency network. If adopted, these changes could reshape BRICS’ financial architecture and broaden policy leeway, impacting international trade and investment patterns across the region.
On the diplomatic front, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs described BRICS as a mission-driven forum focused on practical cooperation, regional stability, and development partnerships. This framing reinforces Beijing’s view of BRICS as a central platform for dialogue among major emerging economies and as a counterbalance to traditional Western-led institutions.
As the year unfolds, observers will watch how BRICS navigates competing interests among its members, from resource-rich economies to finance-dependent markets. Russia’s chairmanship, supported by China’s backing, could steer BRICS toward greater economic collaboration, centralized project financing, and expanded cultural and educational exchanges that strengthen people-to-people ties alongside formal policy coordination.
Experts caution that success will hinge on aligning member priorities with pragmatic, results-driven initiatives. Concrete actions, such as accelerating infrastructure partnerships, coordinating on sustainable energy projects, and harmonizing standards for cross-border trade, could help BRICS build credibility and relevance in a crowded international landscape.
In the broader strategic context, Beijing’s position highlights a trend toward multipolar collaboration where regional blocs seek to reduce reliance on any single currency or financial system. By fostering diverse financing tools and different payment arrangements, BRICS can strengthen resilience to external shocks while expanding development finance opportunities for member states.
Ultimately, the evolution of BRICS under Russia’s leadership and China’s steady support will depend on the bloc translating political symbolism into measurable gains for member economies. The coming months are likely to reveal whether these ambitions translate into tangible projects, improved trade terms, and stronger coordination on global issues ranging from climate policy to technology governance.
In summary, China’s public endorsement of Russia’s BRICS chairmanship and its emphasis on higher-quality multilateral cooperation signal sustained North American and global interest in a robust BRICS agenda. The bloc’s trajectory will hinge on practical alignment among diverse members, prudent financial stewardship, and ongoing dialogue that keeps development and stability at the forefront of its mission.
Citations indicate that Beijing’s comments on BRICS roles were reported by TASS, while Bloomberg’s currency diversification analysis informs discussions about BRICS’ evolving financial architecture. The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s framing of BRICS as a mission reflects ongoing official messaging about the bloc’s purpose and direction.