The bigger story of BRICS: Greater choice, greater voice

Editor's note: Syed Aoon Sherazi is a geopolitical analyst at Pakistan's Such News TV. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The world is changing, and the change is becoming visible not only in the corridors of major powers but also across the developing world. For decades, global politics and economics were largely shaped by a system in which a limited number of countries had the strongest influence over international institutions, financial systems and global decision making. Today, that picture is gradually changing. One of the clearest signs of this transformation is the growing importance of BRICS, and China is undoubtedly at the center of this evolution.

BRICS was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining later. Since then, its expansion has brought in countries from the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Europe, giving the grouping a much broader geographical and economic character. The significance of this expansion goes beyond numbers. It reflects a growing desire among developing countries to have a greater voice in international affairs and more options in their economic and diplomatic partnerships.

China's role in this process is particularly important. Beijing has consistently presented BRICS not as an anti-Western alliance but as a platform for cooperation among emerging economies and developing countries. This distinction is important because the future of BRICS will depend on whether it can remain inclusive and not become another rigid geopolitical bloc.

China’s approach is based on the idea that countries should have the right to choose their own development paths and international partnerships. Beijing has repeatedly called for greater representation of developing countries in global institutions and for a more balanced international order. For many countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, this message has considerable appeal.

There is also a practical reason behind the growing interest in BRICS. Developing countries need markets, investment, technology, infrastructure and access to finance. They do not necessarily want to abandon their existing relationships with Western countries, but they increasingly want alternatives and diversification. BRICS offers a platform through which such alternatives can be developed.

China's own economic experience makes its contribution particularly significant. Over the past decades, China has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, built one of the world’s largest manufacturing bases, and developed extraordinary infrastructure and technological capabilities. The transformation from a developing economy into a global economic power is one of the defining economic stories of the modern era.

For many developing countries, China's experience is relevant because it demonstrates the importance of long-term planning, infrastructure, industrial development, education, technology and connectivity. Beijing is now in a position to share not only its financial resources but also its development experience with other countries. The largest economy in BRICS, it has the capacity to provide momentum to initiatives that require substantial investment and long-term commitment.

The establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB) is an important example. The NDB shows that emerging economies can create a development financing mechanism focused on infrastructure and sustainable development. It is not about challenging existing international financial institutions; it is about creating additional choices for countries that need capital for development.

This idea of greater choice is at the heart of the BRICS story.

The world does not need another Cold War or another division between competing camps. What it needs is a more representative international system in which developing countries are not merely expected to follow decisions made elsewhere. China has increasingly positioned itself as a supporter of this approach.

That is why describing BRICS as an "anti-American" or "anti-Western" project misses the larger picture. BRICS countries have different interests, political systems and foreign-policy priorities. They do not agree on everything. China and India, for example, have their own differences, while the interests of Russia, Brazil, the Gulf countries and African members are not identical. Yet they have found areas where cooperation is possible.

That itself is significant. If countries with such different political and economic backgrounds can sit together, discuss their common interests and build practical cooperation, it demonstrates that multipolarity does not have to mean confrontation. It means coexistence, dialogue and greater representation.

China’s concept of a multipolar world is particularly relevant here. Beijing has repeatedly argued for a world order based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, dialogue and cooperation, not domination by one or a few powers.

For the Global South, this argument has a strong resonance. Many developing countries have spent decades dealing with economic pressures, unequal trade relationships and limited representation in international decision making. They want development, stability and investment, but they also want respect for their sovereignty.

China’s growing engagement with these countries has therefore created a relationship that goes beyond traditional diplomacy. The Belt and Road Initiative is one example of this approach. Through infrastructure, ports, railways, energy projects, industrial cooperation and digital connectivity, China has developed economic links across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Not every project has been equally successful but it would be difficult to deny the scale of China’s contribution to global infrastructure and connectivity.

The same thinking is increasingly visible in BRICS. China wants greater connectivity between economies, stronger trade links, expanded investment and greater cooperation in areas such as digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. These are areas in which China’s technological capabilities have grown rapidly.

Chinese companies have become major players in electric vehicles, batteries, solar energy, telecommunications and other emerging industries. For other developing countries, access to these technologies at competitive prices can be extremely important for their own modernization.

The next phase of global competition will not be determined by military strength or traditional economic indicators. Technology, AI, digital infrastructure, energy security and supply chains will increasingly determine the balance of global power. If BRICS countries can cooperate in these areas, they would create enormous opportunities for the developing world.

The larger BRICS story is not about China becoming more powerful. It is about the developing world becoming more confident about its own role. For a long time, the term Global South was associated with countries that needed assistance from wealthier nations. Today, that perception is changing. Many countries of the Global South possess huge populations, natural resources, growing markets and strategic geographical importance. Some are becoming major economic powers in their own right.

China has played a major role in accelerating this transformation. Its message is essentially that economic development and international cooperation do not have to follow a single model. Countries can cooperate while maintaining their sovereignty and pursuing their own national interests.

This does not mean that China and BRICS have all the answers. They do not. Turning a diverse group of countries into an effective long-term institution will require patience, compromise and strong diplomacy.

China’s ability to manage differences will therefore be critical. Beijing's emphasis on dialogue and consensus has helped keep the BRICS process moving forward despite considerable differences among members.

China is not simply participating in the transformation of BRICS; it is helping give the organization a long-term direction. Its economic strength, diplomatic reach and experience of development provide it with a unique position within the grouping.

The rise of BRICS should therefore not be viewed through the narrow lens of China versus the United States or East vs. West. The bigger story is the emergence of a world in which Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East are demanding a larger role in determining their own future. China’s rise is an important part of that story.

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