During Xi Jinping’s Kazan BRICS time, experience the story of two “+” signs

On the morning of October 24, local time, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the “BRICS+” Leaders’ Dialogue at the Kazan Exhibition Center, delivering a significant speech titled “Harnessing the Powerful Forces of the Global South to Build a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity.” As an important milestone, this gathering, which took place from October 22 to 24, generated considerable attention with its two pivotal stories represented by the “+” characters.

Morning of October 23 saw a historic moment captured as the leaders of the BRICS nations and invited guests gathered for a “family photo,” marking the first leaders’ meeting since the expansion of BRICS. This meeting welcomed new members, symbolized by the additional “+” in the group’s name.

In this prestigious assembly, prominent figures such as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed made their first appearances in the collective photo of BRICS leaders. The event signified a new starting point for BRICS cooperation in Kazan, a city recognized for its blending of Eastern and Western cultures. The choices of inclusion and cooperation expressed BRICS’s commitment to openness and shared values.

Simultaneously with the members’ photo, another noteworthy “+” story emerged. On the morning of October 24, the “BRICS+” Leaders’ Dialogue featured a second group photo, depicting BRICS leaders alongside the leaders of guest nations and heads of international organizations, including the UN Secretary-General.

The concept of “BRICS+” originated in China when President Xi proposed this cooperative model in 2017 during a meeting in Xiamen, expanding the BRICS partnership to a global scale. As new and old friends gathered in Kazan, the arrangement of flags around a white conference table formed a circle, showcasing unity and collaboration among nations.

The two “+” stories reflect the inclusive spirit at the heart of BRICS. From its inception, the mechanism emphasized openness. At the 2013 BRICS summit in Durban, Xi quoted a Chinese saying, “A single tree cannot form a forest.” At this recent summit, he introduced another saying, “A gentleman acts for the benefit of the righteous,” reinforcing the consistent value orientation of BRICS nations’ interactions and collaborations.

As the desire for BRICS membership grows, multiple countries have expressed their interest in participating in various forms of BRICS cooperation. The journey from proposing the “BRICS+” concept to achieving historic expansion demonstrates that BRICS is neither a closed club nor an exclusive circle.

Kazan itself embodied this openness, with the iconic Kremlin complex showcasing a variety of architectural styles—from Slavic arches to Roman spires and Chinese-influenced decor—serving as a vivid representation of how BRICS nations from different backgrounds can coexist harmoniously.

The stories behind the two “+” marks also highlight the pragmatic vision of BRICS cooperation. Today, BRICS has become one of the most significant platforms for emerging market and developing countries. Following its expansion, BRICS nations now account for approximately 30% of global GDP, nearly half of the world’s population, and one-fifth of global trade, elevating their collective influence and potential.

The “+” signifies not just an increase in numbers but an enhancement of quality. BRICS cooperation embodies the aspirations of many developing nations for prosperity. As Xi noted, emerging market countries and developing nations have faced significant challenges to achieve national independence, and their ultimate goal is to ensure a better quality of life for their citizens.

The Kazan meeting is crucial for the initial phase of the expanded BRICS cooperation. Xi outlined Chinese initiatives focused on themes such as “Peaceful BRICS,” “Innovative BRICS,” “Green BRICS,” “Fair BRICS,” and “Cultural BRICS,” sending strong signals for increased collaboration across various fields. It is evident that the path of “Big BRICS Cooperation” will only become broader and more impactful.

Ultimately, the underlying message of the two “+” stories reflects BRICS’s commitment to unity and collaboration. Amidst new global challenges—including the ongoing Ukraine crisis and conflicts in Gaza—the role of the BRICS mechanism as the leading voice for developing countries is being tested.

In the “BRICS+” Leaders’ Dialogue, Xi underscored the significant rise of the “Global South” as a distinct feature of current global shifts. Today’s BRICS collaboration transcends its member states, embodying the hopes of emerging market nations, developing countries, and even the international community at large.

Amidst transformative changes in the global power dynamics, reforms in the international governance system still lag behind. Xi emphasized that the revitalization path of the “Global South” will undoubtedly face hurdles. “We must showcase our collective wisdom and strength to forge a community with a shared future for humanity,” he stated.

As the BRICS time in the historic city of Kazan draws to a close, the stories behind the two “+” marks illustrate that whether it’s openness, pragmatic cooperation, or the commitment to collective action, “Big BRICS Cooperation” is set to embark on a renewed journey from this point onward.