Because governments of – and people in – developing countries have lost faith in the G7, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa plus some newcomers can claim to speak for the so-called “Global South”
By expanding to BRICS+, the group aims to position itself more strongly as a global player. But economic, geopolitical and internal tensions remain, despite or precisely because of the new members.
By admitting six new members to their informal group, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) may be thwarting its capacity for collective action.
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the principal instrument of China’s long-term development strategy. It is now the world’s biggest infrastructure-development initiative.
China’s development over the last 40 years has been unparalleled. Hundreds of millions of people have escaped absolute poverty. Now the country is engaging in international development affaires – and using the BRICS+ as a platform.
With the presence of China and South Africa on the continent, African countries have little choice but to get involved with BRICS. At the same time, countries like Malawi do not want to lose touch with the western industrialised nations.
