China’s Potential Move to Position an Enlarged BRICS as a Counterpart to G7

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China seems to be actively working on expanding the BRICS alliance to position it as a geopolitical rival against the Group of Seven (G7) countries, according to remarks made by a Chinese official. The upcoming summit in Johannesburg will see discussions regarding the possible addition of countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to its existing member nations.

Utilizing a Larger BRICS to Counteract G7’s Influence

China may have a keen interest in increasing the membership of the BRICS group, which currently consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with the aim to amplify its influence and establish the augmented group as a geopolitical contender against the Group of the Seven (G7). Various countries have already signaled their intent to join the bloc, and the expansion issue will be debated at the summit, marking the first such discussions since South Africa joined in 2010.

An anonymous Chinese official cited by Financial Times has emphasized:

Should BRICS be expanded to represent a similar share of the global GDP to that of the G7, our collective presence in the international arena would be more pronounced.

Notable economic giants, Saudi Arabia and UAE, are in talks with BRICS to possibly join, or at least enhance, trade relationships with the bloc’s member countries. The inclusion of these high-GDP countries would bring the stated Chinese goal closer to realization. Furthermore, nations such as Iran and Venezuela, known for their clear opposition to U.S. policies, are also seeking to become part of the group.

Resistance to China’s Plans

A week ago, numerous experts publicly acknowledged the might of the BRICS group. Anthony Rowley, a journalist with the South China Morning Post, affirmed that the challenge BRICS poses to the prevailing economic structure cannot be ignored casually. Similarly, Hung Tran, a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, elaborated that BRICS could potentially “morph into a parallel entity to the Group of Seven (G7), leading to a significant alteration in international relations,” forecasting China’s motives.

However, the expansion path that China appears to be eyeing may encounter resistance from within the group, most notably from India and South Africa. India is seemingly more disposed towards maintaining the group as a non-aligned platform serving the economic aspirations of developing nations, as per sources knowledgeable about the stance of both nations.

South Africa’s stance may further complicate China’s intentions. Its Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor proclaimed on August 7 that South Africa did not view the BRICS alliance as “favoring Russia or opposing the West.” Additionally, Pandor expressed his belief that such a characterization of the group would be “utterly incorrect.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about BRICS expansion

More about BRICS expansion

• Financial Times
• South China Morning Post
• The Atlantic Council
• Statements by South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor