Chinese Views on BRICS and the Future World Order

Summary

Chinese-aligned commentary casts BRICS and the Russia-China partnership as building a rules-reforming, multipolar order — framed as diversification and governance reform, not a bloc against the West.

What it argues

1. Russia-China Multipolar DoctrinePolitics

   Valdai's Bezerra traces the vision from the 1997 Moscow declaration to the May 2026 Xi-Putin joint statement on multipolarity. Xi called the relationship "at the highest level in history"; both leaders pledged to defend UN Security Council authority against hegemonism. Both powers present multipolarity as a long-held doctrine, not a reaction to Western pressure.

2. Global Governance InitiativePolitics

   Xi's Global Governance Initiative rests on sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism and real results, Fudan's Jiang Tianjiao says. At the 2026 New Delhi summit Xi urged BRICS to be "four pioneers" in development, security, civilizational exchange and governance reform. Beijing casts itself as architect of a Global South-led alternative to Western-dominated institutions.

3. Choice, Not ConfrontationPolitics

   A Global Times opinion piece argues BRICS members seek diversification and strategic autonomy, not a new bloc against the West. It says labeling BRICS "anti-Western" misreads its appeal: members keep Western ties while gaining alternatives. The piece rejects the "BRICS versus the West" framing as a misunderstanding of the group's purpose.

4. Russia-China Economic Lock-inEconomics

   Valdai reports bilateral trade topped $200bn for three straight years, with near-complete de-dollarization and a planned Power of Siberia 2 pipeline. Xi announced aligning China's 15th Five-Year Plan with Russia's development strategy through 2030. Economic ties are framed as coordinated national development, not simple trade.

5. BRICS Trade Amid TariffsEconomics

   China's customs data show intra-BRICS trade tripling since 2009 even as US tariffs reaching 50% hit members from mid-2025, per Fudan's account. The World Bank and WTO cut global growth and trade forecasts, citing US tariffs as a major headwind. Chinese sources present BRICS trade growth as resilience against Western-driven disruption.

6. China's 2027 PresidencyEconomics

   Global Times editorials note China will chair BRICS for a fourth time in 2027, hosting the 19th summit after New Delhi's 18th. Xi proposed initiatives on open-source AI, digital industry and intelligent manufacturing; the New Development Bank has backed over 140 projects worth $44bn. China positions its coming presidency to convert BRICS growth into concrete economic programs.

7. Reforming Global RulesLaw & rulings

   The GGI calls for abiding by international rule of law and UN Charter principles rather than rules set by a few powers, Jiang Tianjiao says. The New Delhi Declaration calls for peaceful dispute resolution and opposes "unilateral coercive measures" contrary to international law, per Global Times. Chinese commentary frames legal reform as central to a fairer international order.

8. People-to-People TiesSociety

   Xi and Putin launched a China-Russia Years of Education initiative expanding student exchanges and joint research, Valdai reports. Xi named civilizational mutual learning one of BRICS' "four pioneer" roles alongside development, security and governance. Cultural and educational exchange is presented as part of the long-term partnership, not just economics.

Open questions

• Whether the Global Governance Initiative and 'four pioneers' agenda yield practical outcomes once China chairs BRICS in 2027.
• Whether the Russia-China partnership can withstand any renewed Western attempt at triangular diplomacy.
• How BRICS members' differing foreign policies will coexist with deeper 'greater BRICS' cooperation.