BRICS: Time for The Widening Path Consolidation of the NDB

VOL.9 NO .4 | JULY - AUGUST 2017

国内零售价：10 元 / India ₹ 100 www.chinaindiadialogue.com CONTENTS CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE Administrative Agency: 主管： China International 中国外文出版发行事业局 CHINDIA NEWS / p.02 Publishing Group （中国国际出版集团） Publisher: 主办、出版： China Pictorial 人民画报社 OPENING ESSAY Address: 地址： 33 Chegongzhuang Xilu, Haidian, 北京市海淀区 China and Brazil’s Guiding Role in BRICS Cooperation Beijing 100048, China 车公庄西路33号 04 Email: Working Together for Future BRICS Cooperation / p.07 [email protected] President: Yu Tao 社长：于涛 BRICS Collaboration and China-India Cooperation / p.09 Editorial Board: 编委会： Yu Tao, Li Xia, 于 涛 、李 霞 、 He Peng, Wang Lei , 贺 鹏 、王 磊 、 Working Together for a Second Golden Decade of BRICS Yu Jia, Yan Ying 于 佳 、闫颖 Cooperation / p.11 Executive Editor-in-Chief: Li Xia 执行总编：李霞 Editorial Directors: 编辑部主任： Wen Zhihong, Qiao Zhenqi 温 志 宏 、乔 振 祺 English Editor: 英文定稿： COMMENT Xu Mingqiang 徐明强 BRICS: Time for Consolidation / p.14 Editorial Consultants: 语言顾问： Scott Huntsman 苏格 Editors and Translators: 编辑、翻译： Gong Haiying, Hu Zhoumeng, 龚海莹、胡周萌、 Liu Haile, Li Zhuoxi, 刘 海 乐 、李 卓 希 、 STRATEGY Li Yiqi, Mithila Phadke, 李 艺 琦 、弥 萨 罗 、 Wang Dongmei, Wang Shuya, 王 冬 梅 、王 舒 雅 、 Xu Shuyuan, Yin Xing, 许 舒 园 、殷 星 、 BRICS: A GOLDEN DECADE OF ECONOMIC Zhang Xue, Zhao Yue, Zhou Xin 张 雪 、赵 月 、周 昕 Editor-Visuals & Photographs: 视觉编辑： COOPERATION Li Zhuoxi 李卓希 17 Designed by: Alinea Productions 设计：Alinea Productions Web Maintenance and Graphic 网络运维与图表 Design Specialist: 设计专员： Andrey Maleev 安德烈 Remittance to: Publishing and 邮购收款人： Distribution Department, 人民画报社 China Pictorial 出版发行部 Telephone 电话: +86-10-68413849, +86-10-68412166 Postal Code 邮编: 100048

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TREND DISCUSSION Advertising Business License: J.H.G.S. Advertising Business Registration No.20170199 BRICS Security Cooperation: How will the BRICS Start Pricing: A Way to Go / p.30 Another “Golden Decade” / p.42 ¥10 / India ₹ 100 Climate Change: Not a Physical DATA Process but a Social One/ p.32 Decade of BRICS Cooperation / p.52 CASE STUDY The Widening Path of the YOUNG VOICES VOL.9 NO.4 | JULY - AUGUST 2017 NDB / p.34 My Story with BRICS Countries / p.56 Visit China-India Dialogue on the Internet: Cooperation and Development www.chinaindiadialogue.com Follow us on: of China-Russia Cross-border COLUMN E-commerce / p.38 Movies Moving BRICS / p.62

Consultants of the China-India Dialogue Advisory Board

Alka Acharya Professor and director of the Institute Sea Studies at Nanjing University. Foreign Ministry on Afghan Affairs and former of Chinese Studies, Delhi Ma Jiali Deputy Director of the Center for Chinese ambassador to India Hu Shisheng Director of the Institute of South and International Strategic Studies of China Reform Forum Tarun Vijay Former Member of Parliament and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies under China Ma Weigong Consultant of the National Institute former president of Parliamentary Group on India Institutes of Contemporary International Relations of Strategic Communication at Peking University China Friendship. Li Daokui Economics professor and director of the and former deputy editor-in-chief of China Radio T. C. A. Rangachari Former Indian Ambassador to Center for China in the World Economy at Tsinghua International France and Germany, dealt with India’s relations University Sun Shihai Former director of the Chinese with China for over 15 years in the Ministry of Lin Minwang Research fellow and Deputy Association for South Asian Studies and former External Affairs. Chief of the Center of South Asian Studies, deputy director of the National Institute of Yang Yifeng Director of India Broadcast of South the Institute of International Studies at Fudan International Strategy under the Chinese Academy Asia Center, China Radio International University, and a research fellow with the of Social Sciences Zhang Wenmu Professor of the Center for Strategic Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sun Yuxi Former Special Envoy of the Chinese Studies at Beihang University CHINDIA NEWS CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

Seventh BRICS Security Meeting China Confirms India’s Ministry of Foreign past incidents between border troops in areas without delimited Held in Beijing Withdrawal of Troops, Affairs of China Issues boundaries. The Indian border The seventh meeting of BRICS senior troops’ crossing of a clearly defined representatives on security issues was held at the Equipment from Dong Lang Document titled The border is a very serious incident that Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing from July 27 to On August 28, China confirmed via on-site Facts and China’s violates China’s sovereignty and 28. Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi chaired the checks that India has withdrawn personnel and territorial integrity, contravenes the meeting, while his counterparts from the other four equipment from Dong Lang (Doklam) after a Position Concerning 1890 Convention and the UN countries attended. military stand-off lasting more than two months. Indian Border Troops’ Charter, and flagrantly tramples the The meeting focused on global governance, anti- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua basic principles of international law terrorism, internet security, energy security, hot- Chunying said that Chinese personnel completed Crossing of the China- and basic norms governing button global and regional issues and development. the on-site check around 2:30 p.m., adding that India Boundary in the international relations. Since the All parties agreed to constantly expand the role of the China will continue to safeguard its territorial incident began, India has offered a mechanism and the meeting and promote in-depth sovereignty according to historical boundary Sikkim Sector into wide array of excuses to justify its development of BRICS cooperation in political security. treaties. The Chinese government values its illegal action, but none of its All parties agreed in their commitment to improve global neighborly friendship with India, Hua said. It Chinese Territory arguments hold any factual weight or governance, effectively cope with global threats and expects India to respect historical boundary legal validity. challenges, advance international order in a fairer and treaties and basic principles of international law, On August 2, 2017, China’s Ministry more reasonable direction and promote economic and to work with China to safeguard peace and of Foreign Affairs issued a document globalization as a more open, benefit-sharing and stability in the border area on the basis of mutual titled The Facts and China’s Position inclusive force. All parties agreed to strengthen respect of each other’s territorial sovereignty. Concerning Indian Border Troops’ Crossing communication and cooperation in anti-terrorism, of the China-India Boundary in the Sikkim cybersecurity, energy security and other fields, expand Sector into Chinese Territory. According the roles of consultation mechanisms at all levels, to the document, the Dong Lang area enhance communication and coordination and speak (Doklam), which is located on the with a louder BRICS voice. BRICS Seminar on Governance in Chinese side of the boundary, is Quanzhou indisputably Chinese territory. On June 16, 2017, Chinese construction workers The BRICS Seminar on Governance was held in began building a road in the Dong Lang Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China, from August 17 area. On June 18, more than 270 Indian to 18. More than 160 academics, consultants and border troops carrying weapons and Fifth BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting business leaders from BRICS countries as well as two bulldozers crossed the boundary in in Hangzhou other emerging markets and developing countries the Sikkim Sector at the Duo Ka La attended. The seminar featured an opening (Doka La) pass and advanced more The fifth BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation ceremony and three parallel meetings respectively than 100 meters into Chinese territory BRICS Tax Heads Meet (STI) Ministerial Meeting was held from July 17 to 18 in focused on “enhancing reform for common to obstruct the Chinese road in Hangzhou Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. The meeting produced development”, “increasing communication for construction, causing tension in the many important agreements concerning policy cultural prosperity”, and “strengthening area. In addition to the two bulldozers, The Meeting of BRICS Heads of exchange of STI, cooperation in special fields, jointly collaboration on global governance”. the trespassing Indian border troops, Tax Authorities 2017 was held in sponsored multilateral research programs, young The seminar reached the Quanzhou Consensus which numbered as many as over 400 Hangzhou on July 27. This taxation- entrepreneur innovation and start-ups as well as of the BRICS Seminar on Governance, which at one point, pitched three tents and related ministerial conference leads cooperation on science and technology parks. After the proposed that BRICS countries make advanced over 180 meters into Chinese up to the ninth BRICS Summit in meeting, the “Hangzhou Declaration”, “BRICS Action development the top priority, work on win-win territory. As of the end of July, more Xiamen in September. At the Plan for Innovation Cooperation” and “BRICS Work cooperation between BRICS countries, amplify than 40 Indian border troops and one meeting, heads of tax authorities of Plan for Innovation (2017-2018)” were all signed. BRICS voice in global governance and actively bulldozer still illegally remain in the five countries signed the BRICS As an important multilateral mechanism, the BRICS strengthen cultural exchange between the Chinese territory. The incident Taxation Cooperation Memorandum, STI Ministerial Meeting is playing a more important role countries. During the seminar, think tanks from occurred in an area where there is a the bloc’s first document to elevate in the global governance of innovation. South Africa will China and other countries signed a series of clear and delimited boundary. The taxation cooperation to an host the sixth BRICS science, technology and innovation cooperative agreements. issue is fundamentally different from institutional level. ministerial meeting. 02 03 OPENING ESSAY CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE in early July. achieve peaceful coexistence 16 percent. Share of foreign During the meeting, the and a win-win future for all investment rose from 7 five leaders exchanged ideas countries. percent to 12 percent and their China and Brazil’s Guiding on key issues involving the At the Seventh Meeting of total contribution to world global political and economic BRICS High Representatives economic growth increased situation and reached for Security Issues and the to a staggering 50 percent, Role in BRICS Cooperation important consensuses on meeting of BRICS Ministers of marking a simultaneous increasing solidarity and Foreign Affairs recently held rise of emerging markets coordination, building in Beijing, the members had and developing countries an open world economy, in-depth discussions on issues encompassing BRICS. By Li Jinzhang improving global economic such as global governance, By firmly upholding governance and promoting counter-terrorism, cyber- development as the core goal, sustainable development. security and energy security BRICS countries have carried Together, they made BRICS as well as major international out fruitful cooperation in a strong voice to promote and regional issues. They fields of economics, finance new globalization featuring staunchly promoted and trade. They created openness, inclusiveness, development of BRICS a wide-ranging, multi- universal benefits, balanced political security cooperation level and comprehensive and win-win development, and inspired optimism in cooperation pattern, made and shifting the international world peace and stability. a series of groundbreaking order to develop in a more Third, the role of BRICS and symbolic achievements, reasonable and fair direction. as a booster of solidarity such as the foundation of Second, the role of BRICS as and cooperation between the New Development Bank As the two largest developing countries in the eastern and western an international stabilizer has developing countries has (NDB) and the publication hemispheres and two important members of BRICS, China and Brazil become more pronounced. become more important. of the BRICS Contingent Global geopolitical factors In the last decade, BRICS Reserve Arrangement (CRA). have engaged in pragmatic cooperation across many fields, not only are more complex today, as countries’ share of the global Through joint efforts, they playing a guiding role in the development of the BRICS cooperative regional conflicts break out GDP has increased from promoted the“BRICS+” one after another. Cyber- 12 percent to 23 percent, cooperation model and built mechanism, but also enhancing the China-Brazil strategic partnership security and terrorism and share of foreign trade a broad platform for South- comprehensively to enable a leap-forward development. are causing increasing increased from 11 percent to South cooperation. Recently, concerns, and traditional and non-traditional security June 16, 2017: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) attends the second China- n September, the 2017 governance, enhancing First, the role of BRICS as a challenges are becoming more Brazil Foreign Ministerial-level Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue in Beijing with BRICS Summit will pragmatic cooperation, global governance accelerator intertwined. his Brazilian counterpart Aloysio Nunes. by Cui Nan/China News Service/VCG be held in Xiamen, increasing cultural exchange has become increasingly To safeguard international Fujian Province in and strengthening the clear. Currently, the global fairness and justice, BRICS southeasternI China. A construction of BRICS political and economic countries agree on the meeting held at an important mechanisms. situation is positioned at a principle of multilateralism juncture of the BRICS Since assuming the rotating critical crossroads requiring and always work together to mechanism as it steps into presidency this year, China profound adjustment. The tackle major international its second decade, the rise of “counter globalization” has been working with other and regional issues. They gathering is expected to play movements around the world exhort all parties to solve members to improve new a significant role in bridging has exacerbated uncertainties regional conflicts and forms of BRICS cooperation the past and future. Under the in global governance and disputes through peaceful in politics, economics and theme of “BRICS: Stronger made it more difficult. and diplomatic means. The Partnership for a Brighter public benefits, which has not Against this backdrop, group advocates fully utilizing Future,” the meeting will only fostered new avenues of Chinese President Xi Jinping multilateral mechanisms focus on building consensus, BRICS cooperation but also presided over an informal such as the United Nations drawing blueprints, sharing laid a solid foundation for meeting of leaders of BRICS to discuss international cooperative experience the success of the upcoming countries on the sidelines of rules, build partnerships and in improving global Xiamen summit. the G20 Summit in Hamburg address global challenges to 04 05 OPENING ESSAY CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE the NDB released a five-year communication and countries have made steady development strategy focused cooperation in bilateral and progress in the fields of earth on financing infrastructure multilateral mechanisms resource satellites, smart and other projects, which is and promoted leap- cities, electric vehicles and expected to inject new energy forward development and polar scientific expedition. into emerging markets and a comprehensive strategic China and Brazil have also Working Together developing countries. partnership. maintained close coordination Fourth, the role of BRICS as In political security, in international affairs. For a cultural exchange platform the two countries have example, the Second China- has become more necessary. maintained frequent high- Brazil Foreign Ministerial- for Future The BRICS countries are level exchanges. For example, level Comprehensive found in Europe, Asia, Africa the China-Brazil High- Strategic Dialogue was held and South America, far-away level Coordination and in Beijing on June 16, 2017, BRICS Cooperation places with distinct cultural Cooperation Committee which enhanced mutual heritages and folk features. and similar mechanisms understanding and strategic In recent years, the five have been continuously trust. Furthermore, China Li Hui countries have launched improved, leading to tighter and Brazil both seek to By a wide variety of cultural bilateral relations. Exchanges develop on new ideas, such exchange programs and between legislators, military as their cooperation through greatly enhanced the people- and officials in other sectors platforms such as the Belt and to-people ties. have become more frequent, Road Forum for International This year, China has adding more strength to the Cooperation. China and conducted rich and colorful bilateral relations. Brazil have played a basic and cultural exchange activities In economics and trade, guiding role with pragmatic with other BRICS countries China-Brazil cooperation effort as an important part of such as the Fifth Meeting of has maintained high-speed overall BRICS cooperation. BRICS Education Ministers, development and formed a Years of efforts the BRICS Games, the BRICS “three-wheel-drive” pattern have resulted in good International Film Festival, across trade, investment and achievements. Thanks to the BRICS Political Parties, finance. In 2016, bilateral joint efforts of China, Brazil For a decade, BRICS countries continuously strengthened dialogue and Think-tanks and Civil Society trade volume reached US$58 and other BRICS members, Organizations Forum, the billion. So far, China has the upcoming Xiamen summit cooperation, injecting new energy to drive the world economy, reform BRICS Media Summit, BRICS invested more than US$40 will produce fruitful results. global economic governance and facilitate the democratization of Health Ministers Meeting billion in Brazil. All signs point to wider and High-level Meeting on Not long ago, a joint China- pragmatic BRICS cooperation international relations. Traditional Medicine, aiming Brazil investment promotion at new levels, accelerated to encourage people from fund was launched in Sao progress in BRICS mechanism all walks of life in BRICS Paulo, Brazil, providing construction and greater new concept, strengthened dialogue and development, share common countries to carry out friendly strong financial support for international influence of the BRICS has become cooperation. By setting up historical responsibilities exchanges and promote the expansion and upgrade of BRICS coalition. Ultimately, a cooperative the New Development Bank and look towards the same cultural cooperation at a bilateral cooperation. the group will open the mechanism and Contingent Reserve developmental aims. The deeper and more concrete In the field of cultural door to a brighter future for involvingA the five leading Arrangement, BRICS has large populations of BRICS level. These efforts will exchanges, China-Brazil shared development in other emerging economies, under realized a transformation countries give them huge consolidate public support cooperation has also been developing counties as well as which the leaders of all five from concept to real entity market potential, which in and provide a strong impetus promoted heavily. There are promoting world peace and countries regularly meet. that has been injecting new turn enables complementary for the BRICS cooperation in now 13 Confucius Institutes development. Additionally, it sponsors a energy to drive the world economic cooperation. every realm. and Confucius classrooms series of exchange activities economy, reform global Against the backdrop of As the two largest in Brazil, ranking first in like ministerial meetings, economic governance and compliex and changeable developing countries and Latin American countries. business forums, think tank facilitate the democratization international and regional important members of Cooperation in scientific and forums and media summits. of international relations. situations as well as slow BRICS, China and Brazil technological research has The author is the Chinese ambassador For a decade, BRICS BRICS countries are global economy recovery, have maintained close become a highlight. The two to Brazil. countries continuously all at similar phases of the five countries have 06 07 OPENING ESSAY CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE reached political and social countries in their respective interests and concerns of consensus on more extensive regions, BRICS members all emerging market countries cooperation, which has maintain a strong sense of and developing countries on not only influenced the responsibility and hope to issues like climate change, BRICS Collaboration and development of the five set up a global governance IMF reform, anti-terrorism, countries but also affected system based on multi-polar transnational crime and international economic principles and mirroring new internet security. Meanwhile, China-India Cooperation growth and the trends of world political and economic as big new economies and global institutions and world development situations. Only stakeholders in considerable order. when BRICS countries unite global interests, BRICS By Luo Zhaohui Firstly, the grouping to speak with a single voice countries have the ability seeks to build a community can they realize their strategic and responsibility to provide of common interests for interests and exert the feasible plans to address BRICS countries. In 2013, most powerful influence on global challenges. While doing Chinese President Xi Jinping current international patterns their own things domestically, proposed the “Belt and Road” and global governance. BRICS countries will provide Initiative, which has drawn State leaders of BRICS more public products for the recognition and support countries meet regularly to international community. from many countries and exchange ideas on important The Ninth BRICS Summit, provided opportunities for international and regional themed “BRICS: Stronger BRICS countries to widen issues. They work together Partnership for a Brighter their strategic cooperation to deal with world affairs Future,” will be held in China-India cooperation not only reflects the requirements for the space and update pragmatic and uphold United Nations Xiamen, China, in September cooperation. Russia is one core status on world affairs to and draw global attention. two countries as key BRICS members, but is logical choice for their supporter of the “Belt and promote the democratization As host and rotating chair of development. Road” Initiative. In May of international relations the group, China is striving to 2015, state leaders of China as well as world peace promote BRICS cooperation hina is now Xi Jinping once likened political security, economy and Russia signed a joint and development. BRICS on wider, deeper and more leading the BRICS the BRICS countries to five and finance and people-to- statement on integrating countries endeavor to gain pragmatic levels as BRICS mechanism into fingers—each having distinctive people exchanges, making the China’s Silk Road Economic more influence and input enters a second “golden a second “golden features and strengths, but group a significant player on Belt initiative with Russia- by sending a uniform voice decade.” Against the backdrop Cdecade” as the country form a powerful fist when the world stage. led Eurasian Economic and collectively play a more of global economic and assumes the rotating chair of clenched together. Guided by Cooperation and Union (EAEU) construction, important role in improving political patterns undergoing the influential group in 2017. the principle of development development complement evidencing both countries’ global governance and in-depth adjustment and Over the past 10 years, BRICS through cooperation, BRICS each other. This is the most determination to arrange a promoting multilateralism. emerging market countries mechanism has ushered countries have become important lesson drawn by community of interests. China Thirdly, BRICS aspires and developing countries in a new era of unity and increasingly stronger over the BRICS countries in the past and other member countries to build a community of represented by BRICS rising cooperation between emerging past decade. Their combined decade of evolvement of are exploring cooperation common responsibility. together, it is my opinion markets and developing the BRICS mechanism. The in national and regional Chinese President Xi Jinping that if the five countries GDP has increased from 12 countries, and left a brilliant percent to 23 percent of the world today has reached a development strategies. The pointed out that BRICS can maintain principles of record of BRICS countries new historical stage. The world’s total, trade volume export of China’s capital countries play a lead role in open, inclusive, cooperative working together to accelerate world economy has already from 11 percent to 16 percent, and production capacity can emerging market countries and win-win work that global economic growth, begun to rebound, but and outbound investments promote the construction and developing countries. At continuously enhances the improving global governance in-depth contradictions from 7 percent to 12 percent. of infrastructure and the present, the world is unsafe partnership, cohesive forces and promoting democracy in remain unsettled, causing BRICS members collectively update and transformation of and challenged by rising trade and positive action in member international relations. considerable uncertainty. industries in BRICS countries. protectionism, hegemony, countries, BRICS cooperation The BRICS mechanism contribute to more than 50 International coordination The interests of the five power politics and unilateral has a promising future. conforms to the trend of percent of global economic remains a daunting task. countries and their peoples sanctioning behavior. Facing multi-polarity and economic growth. Moreover, BRICS Global challenges in areas are all closely related. unfair and unreasonable globalization, and represents the countries continue expanding like development, refugees, Secondly, BRICS seeks world order, BRICS countries consensus of its five members, scopes of cooperation, from climate change and anti- to build a community of have the responsibility The author is the Chinese ambassador which all seek cooperation and economic and trade cooperation terrorism are becoming more common activities. As major to protect the common to Russia. development. Chinese President to three pillars of cooperation— complex alongside the rise 08 09 OPENING ESSAY CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE of nationalism, extremism, while experiencing rapid projects. Latecomers such anti-globalization and infrastructure development. as OPPO, VIVO, Xiaomi and trade protectionism. How If united, BRICS countries Lenovo expanded even faster BRICS countries tackle will surely give impetus to in the Indian market. In Working Together for a new challenges has evoked deepening BRICS cooperation, 2016, bilateral trade volume wide attention from the provide new solutions on between China and India international community. As global governance, make reached US$71.18 billion. Second Golden Decade of President Xi once said, true new contributions to global In the first five months of partnership is not just about economic growth, and create a this year, China-India trade celebrating success together— brighter future for themselves volume stood at US$33.29 BRICS Cooperation it is more about standing and the world. billion, an increase of 22.6 together in times of adversity. China-India cooperation not percent year-on-year. India’s Undoubtedly, BRICS countries only reflects the requirements exports to China increased by need to continue to seek for the two countries as key 46.4 percent. Sectors such as By Lin Songtian answers from collaborative BRICS members, but is logical railways, telecommunication development. At the beginning choice for their development. equipment, clean energy, of this year, President Xi The two countries share engineering equipment and sent letters to leaders of similar development ideas industrial parks are becoming other BRICS countries, and strategies and can new platforms for China and putting forward China’s ideas complement each other with India to deepen and expand for the Xiamen Summit, their respective advantages. cooperation. Furthermore, including deepening practical They have more common Indian enterprises engaged cooperation for common interests than differences, and in information technology, development, strengthening greater need for cooperation pharmaceuticals and global governance to jointly than competition. In recent consulting services have address challenges, carrying years, relations between entered the Chinese market n September, BRICS opening a new chapter of including African countries, out people-to-people and the two countries have and performed impressively. leaders will meet in friendship and cooperation to be involved in the cultural exchanges to maintained a momentum of China and India are the Chinese city of between BRICS and African deliberation and decision- consolidate popular support, development on the whole important neighbors. In Xiamen for the Ninth countries. making of international and promoting institution and cooperation in sectors recent years, their bilateral BRICSI Summit. As they meet South Africa’s joining affairs on an equal footing. building to forge more including politics, economics, ties have generally maintained during the harvest season, BRICS is tremendously As the only African country extensive partnerships. This trade, culture, people-to- sound development. Stable BRICS leaders will discuss significant for the in BRICS, South Africa is a roadmap for the deepened people and local exchanges, China-India relations will not development plans, build development of the BRICS’ natural bridge between BRICS cooperation between BRICS law enforcement and security only serve the fundamental strategic consensus and cooperation, which is a new and the entire continent, countries is concise and clear. has been substantially interests of the two countries jointly draw up an ambitious mechanism representing playing an important role in BRICS countries have strengthened. China and India and their people, but also be blueprint for BRICS helping BRICS enhance its the cooperation between distinctive features in have particularly engaged in conducive to regional and cooperation over the next representativeness, increase emerging economies in the their development, and close cooperation in economic global peace, stability and decade. its strength of cooperation, international community. can complement each and trade sectors. So far, development. This is the second meeting promote cooperation The addition of the “S” to other, creating huge space cumulative investment of As China-India relations have held by China as the BRICS between BRICS and Africa in the BRIC acronym indicates for cooperation. For Chinese enterprises in India great potential to grow, the two chair. At the last meeting maintaining peace, gaining instance, China boasts a has reached nearly US$5 countries should work together when China chaired the that the mechanism enters development and facilitating complete industrial system, billion and is still rising. More to meet each other half way, organization, South Africa the African continent which regional integration. As the advantageous manufacturing than 500 Chinese companies strengthen political mutual was officially accepted as a has the largest number of leading African emerging products, rich experience in have settled in India. Besides trust and properly handle BRICS member. In April 2011, developing countries. BRICS economy, South Africa has infrastructure construction early “trailblazers” like differences to ensure their President Zuma visited Sanya, is now associated with four irreplaceable strengths in and a strong financial capacity. Huawei and ZTE, many other bilateral ties moving forward China, attending the BRICS continents, and has become geographic location, natural Dubbed the world’s “back famous Chinese enterprises along the right track. Summit for the first time. more representative, with resources, know-how and office,” India has developed an such as China Fortune Land In the past six years, South greater economic weight talent resources, making IT industry with competitive Development Co., Ltd. have Africa has joined hands with and a louder voice. This itself an indispensable BRICS edge and a financial industry also invested in India to build The author is the Chinese ambassador other BRICS members to has laid a solid foundation partner in Africa. After with unique feature industrial parks and other to India. promote BRICS cooperation, for developing countries, joining BRICS, South Africa 10 11 OPENING ESSAY CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE has made constant efforts Africa. With the upcoming tourism, financial services environment today, BRICS cooperation and common countries as well as mutually for the progress of BRICS official launch of the African and other realms have countries face more common development. beneficial cooperation around cooperation mechanisms. Regional Center of the New ensured constant progress tasks: strengthening unity Second, BRICS should work the world. The Year of South Many important cooperation Development Bank, BRICS and breakthroughs, and and cooperation, maintaining on creating stronger global Africa in China and the Year mechanisms such as the cooperation will surely make cooperation has been domestic stability and governance capabilities. In of China in South Africa in New Development Bank, greater contributions to upgraded from conventional development, fostering the last decade, the BRICS 2014 and 2015, respectively, BRICS Contingent Reserve infrastructure development flow of trade to high value- a favorable international cooperation mechanism were successfully held, Arrangement, BRICS Business and sustainable growth in added cooperation in environment and creating has grown into multi- becoming new events in Council, and BRICS Think Africa. Cooperation between investment and industry. an international order that dimensional, multi-layered China-Africa relations. In Tank Council were decided BRICS and Africa will also South Africa has become is more just and equitable. cooperative framework April of this year, China and at the 2013 BRICS Summit, serve as a role model to China’s biggest trading BRICS should strive to thanks to regular meetings South Africa launched the hosted by South Africa in further encourage the rest of partner and the most boost development, stabilize of state leaders and with first high-level people-to- Durban. the international community important investment and peace, accelerate reform support from conferences people and cultural exchange BRICS cooperation has to work with Africa to tourist destination in Africa. and promote greater BRICS of senior representatives on mechanism, starting a series also created tangible benefits explore potential and create Today, around 160 large cooperation. security, foreign ministers and of exchange events between for South Africa and Africa. greater opportunities for and medium-sized Chinese First, BRICS should other senior officials of the China and South Africa and In recent years, uniting and African countries to realize companies are doing business work on tighter mutually ministerial level. As a model between China and other speaking with one voice in sustainable development. in South Africa, with total beneficial cooperation. Since and important platform for African countries, in the fields the United Nations, the G20 As key members of investment of over US$15 the international financial South-South cooperation in of culture, education, health, and other various institutions BRICS, both China and billion. South Africa’s Home crisis, BRICS has strived to the new era, BRICS is playing media and youth. The success of global governance, BRICS South Africa have been Appliance Manufacturing work in joint efforts as an an increasingly significant role of this mechanism offers has actively promoted a world builders, contributors and Industrial Park and Heavy anchor and a driving engine in global governance. In the good reference for BRICS to that is fair, just, inclusive beneficiaries of BRICS Truck Factory funded by for world economic recovery future, BRICS should further carry out people-to-people and orderly. By responding cooperation. In recent Chinese investment created against the backdrop of low strengthen coordination and cultural exchanges with actively to Africa’s aspirations years, mutually beneficial over 20,000 jobs for the local economic ebb. In the last in the UN, the G20, IMF, developing countries. In the for addressing climate cooperation between population. Home to the first decade, the percentage of World Bank, WTO and other future, BRICS should further change, realizing sustainable China and South Africa in RMB clearing bank in Africa, the economic aggregate of international platforms, strengthen cooperation in development, and combating fields of ocean economics, South Africa is leading the BRICS in the world economy speak with one voice to the fields of culture, arts, terrorism, BRICS firmly industry production capacity, development of the offshore rose from 12 percent to 23 safeguard the common sports, media, think-tanks and upholds the shared interests economic special zones, RMB market in Africa. Great percent, total trade volume interests of developing health to win popular support of all developing countries. infrastructure construction, progress has also been made from 11 percent to 16 percent countries, including for BRICS cooperation, For African countries, no human resource development, in science park cooperation and foreign investment from African countries, and strengthen its inner strength, issue is more pressing than between China and South 7 percent to 12 percent. make greater contributions and increase its popularity. development. During the G20 Africa, which has resulted in BRICS has contributed more to the improvement and From the 2011 BRICS Sanya Hangzhou Summit in 2016, April 13, 2011: President Jacob Zuma the first China-Africa park than half of global economic modernization of global Summit to the 2017 BRICS of South Africa (2nd left) attends, China joined South Africa for the first time, the BRICS Leaders with focus on technology growth. The future is indeed governance. Xiamen Summit, South Africa and other BRICS partners Meeting. [VCG] innovation. Leading Chinese bright for BRICS economic Third, BRICS should work and other African countries in developing the Action telecommunications company development and mutually on promoting closer people- have further engaged in Plan on the 2030 Agenda for Huawei established its first beneficial cooperation. In to-people and cultural BRICS cooperation, and Sustainable Development. It African innovation center in the future, BRICS members exchanges. All BRICS BRICS has made great was the first time that the G20 South Africa and promised will work to build a strategic countries have time-honored progress. We strongly believe adopted collective action to to train 1,000 IT experts cooperative partnership history and rich culture and that the Ninth BRICS Summit support the industrialization in South Africa within five for economic development, together form a colorful in Xiamen will be a great of Africa and least developed years. People-to-people employing each other’s picture of the diversity of success – as we celebrate past countries. During the exchange between China strengths, dovetailing human civilization. Therefore, achievements and map out an recently concluded G20 and South Africa is thriving. each other’s demand, and strengthening BRICS people- ambitious blueprint for yet Hamburg Summit, BRICS South Africa has become the deepening mutually beneficial to-people and cultural another Golden Decade of partners called on the G20 top African destination for cooperation. BRICS will exchanges will contribute BRICS cooperation! to follow the consensus Chinese tourists, immigrants continue to support the greatly to the promotion of the Hangzhou Summit and international students. industrialization of South of mutual understanding, regarding the improvement In the rapidly changing Africa and other African friendship and trust among The author is the Chinese ambassador to of peace and development in and highly complex global countries to realize win-win the peoples of the BRICS the Republic of South Africa. 12 13 COMMENT CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE meet of BRICS Sherpas in Nanjing was attended by over one hundred diplomats, bankers and other dignitaries BRICS: Time for Consolidation from the five BRICS member states. Alluding to the intended tone of the 2017 summit, By Swaran Singh senior Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi urged delegates to make BRICS the force driving rapid growth in developing BRICS continues to be viewed as a valuable alternative to the post-war nations. He asked the America-dominated world order. members to serve as a voice for developing countries who, according to studies by the RICS continues to unconnected nations. Since nonofficial representatives, International Monetary Fund receive increasing then, China’s economic ignited new synergies, ideas (IMF), contribute over 80 June 28, 2017: Representatives from BRICS countries including Brazil, Russia and attention as a key deceleration, Russia’s geo- and support for bold new percent of total global annual South Africa visit the headquarters of Sinopec Corp. for discussion on cooperation actor in an evolving strategic distractions, India’s initiatives in bilateral channels economic growth. Projects with EPEC, the e-commerce platform launched by the energy giant. [VCG] internationalB system. divisive politics and political and enhanced regional resulting from these meetings BRIC was first mentioned in turmoil in Brazil and South outreach and global visibility. present one measure of BRICS’ ministers, who adopted South Africa was admitted 2001 as a metaphoric acronym Africa have cast a thick More recently, the shrinking strength while its impact on the “BRICS Action Plan for in 2010. It has resisted by Jim O’Neil of Goldman shadow over some of the once global leadership of the United governance structures remains Innovation Cooperation suggestions on including new Sachs to describe how China, ambitious expectations for States has placed further the other critical factor. 2017-2020.” BRICS is home observers or dialogue partners India, Brazil and Russia BRICS to become a formidable pressure on BRICS to take The pace of the high-level to 42 percent of the world’s from several aspiring countries together would soon challenge driver of a transformation charge of several new global meetings has been hectic: population but contributes or regional organizations that, the global economic hegemony of the structures of global initiatives beyond financial Beijing hosted a BRICS only 17 percent of the world’s of course, will eventually be of G7 powers. By 2003, the governance. governance. national security advisers investment in research and accommodated. There have concept of the group had BRICS, however, has gained To highlight the magnitude meeting in late July that development and publishes 27 already been serious proposals gained so much attention that traction in many other realms of BRICS interaction, resulted in several security- percent of scientific articles. In to add seven G20 nations as Dominic Wilson published a that have facilitated early during the run up to the related initiatives including the first week of July, Tianjin ‘Friends of BRICS’ or ‘BRICS study titled “Dreaming with relevancy. At the most visible 2016 Goa Summit in India, those on counterterrorism hosted the second meeting of Plus’ as well as requests for BRICs: The Path to 2050,” level, BRICS has already Indian cities hosted over strategies and cybersecurity. A the BRICS culture ministers, close linkage to China’s Belt which cautioned longer time transformed the G7 into the 50 BRICS meetings across week before, BRICS education which produced stronger and Road Initiative. BRICS frames of this transformation. G20. The 2007-2009 global a wide array of sectors ministers adopted the “Beijing bonds of friendship, empathy may not be ready for such It projected BRIC would financial crisis – the worst involving multiple levels Declaration on Education” and cooperation among organizational expansion yet, reach half the size of G7 since the Great Depression of governmental and non- to expand equity, quality and BRICS nationals and remains but the path ahead is already GDP by 2025 and become of 1929 – triggered and governmental organizations. exchange of scholars in line a challenge considering BRICS clear once BRICS consolidates even bigger than the G7 by accelerated a tectonic drift With more focus on people- with the requirements of the countries’ drastically different its foundation. Creating a 2040. BRIC foreign ministers that has enhanced BRICS to-people contact, the 2016 UN Sustainable Development cultural histories, economies secretariat may be the next began holding independent participation in global summit was preceded by Goal of Education 2030. It’s and geographies. critical step to facilitate new meetings at the UN from financial decision-making the first BRICS trade fair, no secret that most of the Meanwhile BRICS has ideas. 2006, and since 2009 formal and implementation. The first BRICS film festival, first elite classes in BRICS even also expanded its agenda to Consolidation remains summit meetings have been groundswell for reform in BRICS under-17 football today still prefer to send their include other concerns of the top priority for BRICS at held regularly. The original post-war global governance cup and other inclusive children to attend school and global governance in sectors present. The imperceptible acronym melted into history institutions has also gained events. Various Chinese work in top G7 countries, like climate change, terrorism drift of intra-BRICS linkages in 2010 when South Africa momentum. In this crucial cities have been hosting which continue to hold the and illegal trafficking, which from limited inter-state was added, and the name period, BRICS has ensured similar events since early bulk of patents in every field often drive global financial to wider inter-societal became BRICS, but the quartet regular and increasingly this year with tremendous of science and technology. decision-making as well. stakeholders is cultivating had already far transcended frequent interactions through success. Heralding the official Hangzhou hosted the fifth While expanding its agenda, constituencies grooming its status as an economic perpetually expanding commencement of the 2017 ministerial meeting of BRICS BRICS has continued to resist enduring camaraderie. In June grouping of otherwise avenues involving official and BRICS summit, the February science and technology expanding membership since in Guangzhou, over 300 young 14 15 COMMENT STRATEGY CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE country from this initiative. model institutions like the In their May meeting in New Development Bank Beijing, BRICS heads of and the Contingent Reserve revenue administrations Arrangement. finalized a draft memorandum Setting aside their much- on cooperation in “capacity hyped differences and even BRICS building and knowledge domestic political troubles, it sharing” and to set up an is clear that as a group, BRICS international forum to be continues to receive increasing announced at the September attention as a key actor in A Golden Decade of July 6, 2017: Guests attend the Photo Exhibition of Cultural Heritage of BRICS summit. an evolving international Countries in Tianjin, a coastal eastern No doubt BRICS faces system. Today, the group city neighboring China’s capital. [VCG] challenges as well. Widely occupies an important place varying size and stature of in international governance Economic Cooperation athletes from BRICS countries BRICS member states have discourse and is quickly gathered for the second become increasingly glaring if staking claims in global sports meet. Outside the not yet detrimental to working decision-making as well. sports arena, BRICS cultural together. China has clearly BRICS continues to be viewed By Wang Lei cooperation has achieved emerged as an economic as a valuable alternative substantive expansion. At the superpower, while Russia is a to the post-war America- BRICS originated with the concept of trade investment. Over the past same time, Chengdu hosted former superpower and now dominated world order. the second BRICS film festival the second largest exporter Expanding interests beyond decade, economic cooperation has been the most important cooperation to explore collaboration of energy. India is young and financial governance have among BRICS countries, resulting in abundant fruits of pragmatic efforts in in cinema and anchor the growing, rapidly attracting fueled growing awareness of group’s collective soft power. attention and investment. organic connections related economic and financial sectors. The organization has served as a stabilizer The enormous success of the While Brazil and South Africa to security and development and reliable facilitator of such cooperation. Indian film Dangal in China have been mired in domestic – both are becoming provided the perfect backdrop political trouble that has increasingly inclusive and for five celebrated BRICS affected their economies, creating space for new issues ver the past a more open, inclusive, cooperation and joined hands film directors to present a the countries have become and actors. The future role decade, BRICS balanced, mutually-beneficial to move forward. They are 110-minute compilation of major beneficiaries of China’s of BRICS as a catalyst for members and sustainable international becoming the foundation of short films highlighting stories expanding economic outreach, restructuring antiquated have worked economic system, and opened the world economic landscape, of courage, hope, neglect, fear which has also affected their instruments of global Oin concerted efforts by a new path for South-South presenting the world with an and the future using cinematic local manufacturing sectors. governance has only received constructing an economic Cooperation. Data show that untapped goldmine. language of emotions that At its core, BRICS still remains limited encouragement partnership to jointly hedge economic cooperation within BRICS countries have bind their people together. most relevant as a ‘non- in Western discourse. In against the impact of the BRICS created a “Golden boosted world economic Such cultural grounding of Western’ (not anti-Western) contrast, assessments in most international financial crisis, Decade” in terms of pragmatic growth. In 2006, the GDP BRICS is critical if the venture grouping of aspirant and developing nations remain far promote reform of the global financial, economic and trade of the then four member is to reach the next level. At rising economies led by China. more upbeat and usually call economic governance system cooperation and construction countries – Brazil, Russia, official levels, BRICS has Together they seek to influence for a cautious wait-and-see and the international financial of an economic cooperation India, and China – ranked shown determination to take and shape global governance approach to the BRICS model system, and defend the open mechanism. 15th, 13th, 10th and 4th, the lead on issues that were structures to ensure that in not just reforming existing world economic system, respectively. In 2016, the originally seen as beyond its developing countries do not patterns of fundraising, but making BRICS the most Pragmatic, Efficient, ranking of the founding jurisdiction. In June, Tianjin remain unrepresented in more importantly in directing important engine for world Extraordinary Achievements members rose rapidly to 9th, hosted a meeting of BRICS various structures of global financial flow to critical economic recovery. Technically, BRICS 12th, 7th and 2nd, respectively. environmental ministers and governance. BRICS, for sectors like infrastructure in As a representative of countries enjoy abundant In December 2010, after South senior officials who reaffirmed instance, has already been the developing world’s most emerging economies and natural and human resources, Africa joined the organization, their strong commitment successful in increasing the cash-starved economies. developing countries, BRICS vast domestic markets, huge BRICS got further expanded to the Paris climate change voting shares of developing has launched a new global development potential and covering Latin America, deal, which needs even more countries in global institutions partnership for development, ample policy space. Over Europe, Asia, and Africa. The author is a professor at the School of support from BRICS after the such as the IMF in addition International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru intensified cooperation in the past 10 years, these In a decade, BRICS U.S. President withdrew his to the erection of parallel University, New Delhi. developing nations, promoted countries have strengthened countries’ contribution to 16 17 STRATEGY CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE the world’s economic output in 2015 with headquarters financial institutions – from direction for BRICS economic economic governance. Since globalization and selective increased from 12 to 23 in Shanghai. With capital of 8 and 11 percent to 14.9 and cooperation towards big the 2011 Cannes summit, anti-globalization sentiments. percent, global trade volume US$100 billion contributed 13 percent, respectively. This market integration, greater leaders of BRICS countries BRICS countries have grew from 11 to 16 percent, equally by the five founding explains why China, India and finance circulation and have held informal meetings suffered an incomparably and foreign investment members, the NDB has Russia rank among the top 10 infrastructure connectivity, on the sidelines of G20 severe impact on trade and rose from 7 to 12 percent. provided US$1.5 billion in terms of proportion in the gradually implementing summits, brainstorming domestic development, which In general, BRICS have for seven member projects IMF and WB. BRICS’ Strategy for Economic solutions for major economic led to an economic downturn. contributed over 50 percent concerning infrastructure Partnership (hereinafter issues relating to building Second, China plays of the world’s economic and sustainable development, Perfecting a Cooperation referred to as the Strategy) an open world economy, a leading role in BRICS growth, and in 2016, the making the bank an important Mechanism and drawing a blueprint defending the central economic cooperation and figure rose to 75 percent. instrument for cooperation A review of the Golden for long-term economic position of the multilateral a variety of driving forces among BRICS countries. Decade shows that BRICS cooperation amongst BRICS trading system and have gradually taken shape Financial Cooperation Moreover, they have launched countries have intensified countries. accelerating reform of the to back up BRICS economic Highlights initial funding of US$100 economic cooperation, Second, several meeting global financial governance cooperation. In 2016, China’s At the bilateral level, BRICS billion as contingency reserves actively advocated mechanisms for professional system. GDP reached US$11 trillion, has facilitated several bilateral to help member countries construction of an open ministers of economics have surpassing the total of that of currency swap agreements, cope with short-term liquidity world economy, supported been established. BRICS Economic Cooperation in the the other four countries, and directed construction of a pressure and reinforce its a multilateral trading countries have already New Normal Era its average annual growth rate more robust financial safety financial safety net. system and improved held seven trade ministers’ In recent years, BRICS of some 7 percent was still network, and proposed Globally, BRICS, with the multilateral financial meetings as part of an agenda countries have entered outstanding. For a long time, settlement of currency. joint efforts, has successfully system. BRICS’ unremitting featuring multiple annual a new stage of economic China’s trade with the other At the multilateral level, as promoted reform programs efforts to mechanize, meetings of central bankers development: a new normal four countries accounted for the world’s first independent on the last round of quota systematize and solidify and finance ministers. Meeting featuring deeper, broader 90 percent of the total trade multilateral development and governance for the economic cooperation have mechanisms for ministers in economic cooperation volume among BRICS. China finance institution established International Monetary Fund considerably accelerated various realms of industry, due to global economic has remained the largest by developing countries, (IMF) and the World Bank economic globalization transportation, taxation situation, which has become trading partner of Brazil, the New Development Bank (WB), enhancing the influence and diversified growth and and customs have also been increasingly complex. Russia and South Africa as (NDB) has undergone the of emerging economies and global economic governance established and improved. First, the external well as one of India’s major following stages: Inception developing countries in the democratization, working as Third, the BRICS Business environment of BRICS trade partners. to approved feasibility report world’s major multilateral an important constructive Council has been established economic cooperation is more Over the last few years, in 2013, signing the Articles financial institutions and force for improving and to enhance enthusiasm complex and fluid, which the driving forces of BRICS of Agreement in 2014, and the ensuring them a bigger piece reforming the global in the BRICS business poses a great challenge for economic cooperation have beginning of official operation of pie in such established economic governance system. community. The Business BRICS economic cooperation. gradually become more Today, a cooperation Council, established in 2013, During its early stages of diversified, which has framework featuring has served as a platform to cooperation, BRICS was significantly accelerated June 17, 2017: The opening ceremony of BRICS sports meet in Guangzhou City, comprehensive, multi- strengthen and promote plagued by the global financial the establishment of a more Guangdong Province. [VCG] level and wide-ranging cooperation among the crisis, but the member states balanced, inclusive BRICS patterns has taken shape to five member countries in stuck together to confront economic partnership that facilitate BRICS cooperation sectors of economics, trade, the challenge. Since the will ensure healthier, more through mechanisms with commerce and investment, end of 2014, however, the sustainable development in strengthened top-level design as well as an important weak recovery of the global BRICS countries. and focus on pragmatic mechanism for increasing economy has resulted in more BRICS economic effects, ultimately accelerating pragmatic economic and trade prominent economic divisions cooperation has entered implementation of cooperation cooperation among these between developed and an era of new normal, initiatives and agreements countries. developing countries, giving inseparable from the global concerning BRICS. Fourth, BRICS has rise to trade protectionism, political and economic First, BRICS leaders and established cooperation and kindling greater political trade situation. The current informal meetings have conference mechanisms in friction and marginalizing the situation is also an outcome provided political guidance many multilateral economic multilateral trading systems, of the BRICS’ initiative and strategic decisions for mechanisms around the creating more challenges in macroeconomic control and BRICS economic cooperation. world. The G20 is the building an open economic enhancement of common Previous summits pointed the primary platform for global world in the face of anti- development. 18 19 STRATEGY CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

brighter today than ever complementary strengths, operability of emergency integrate their large markets, before. The road ahead leads creating enormous potential reserve arrangements. financial circulation, and to a bright future of economic and space for cooperation 3) BRICS countries will infrastructure. progress – these countries will and development as well as a strengthen coordination and 2) As representatives of make greater contributions louder voice in international cooperation in multilateral emerging economies, BRICS to the development of the economic and financial mechanisms. As the most will continue to promote global economy and reform communities. important emerging international development of the international economic Economic cooperation will economies, all members will cooperation, follow the and financial system. We are remain the focus in the future. strengthen communication principle of development, confident because: Economic cooperation is the and coordination in major play a leading and exemplary First, we should fully and eternal theme of promoting international institutions such role in implementing the objectively look at the causes BRICS development and as the G20, United Nations, 2030 agenda for sustainable of BRICS’ recent relative serving as a stabilizer for World Bank, IMF and the development, provide more slowdown in economic BRICS to expand cooperation. World Trade Organization, financial and technical growth and be aware that Embracing the next “Golden improve global economic support to developing K. V. Kamath (left), president of the New Development Bank of BRICS countries, the basic ingredients of rapid Decade,” BRICS’ economic governance, and promote countries and urge developed was interviewed during the Eighth BRICS Summit in Goa, India, October 15-16, economic development of cooperation will feature international economic order countries to keep their 2016. by Bi Xiaoyang/Xinhua BRICS countries have not common development that is that is fairer, more reasonable commitments, reinforce changed. Its energy resources stronger, more inclusive, and and more efficient. international cooperation As the international China has the initiative remain strong, its indigenous more sustainable, across the Second, promote shared in development, and help situation continues to to adjust and adapt to the power is sufficient, its following aspects: development of BRICS BRICS cooperation become undergo profound changes, economic growth pace of the industrial structure is First, strengthen global members and other the most important platform the growing pains of new normal. The Brazilian becoming more rational, economic governance and developing countries by for boosting South-South instability and uncertainty government is also working and its national economy work together to overcome intensifying economic cooperation. are causing regional conflicts on overall economic reform and industrial system are challenges. cooperation among BRICS. This year marks the dawn one after another as well as covering social security, increasingly ideal. This is 1) BRICS countries will 1) The BRICS economic of the second decade of complicated and grim cases infrastructural construction different from what had make joint efforts to build an partnership will be further BRICS cooperation. BRICS of terrorism, all of which and state-owned enterprises. happened during the global open world economy, firmly strengthened. BRICS will continue to uphold the have led to sluggish global The government of India has financial crisis: sluggish flow safeguard multilateral trading countries have an important principles of “openness, market demand. Global trade actively deepened its reform in of finance, debt crises and lack systems, continue to promote position in the global inclusiveness, cooperation, is hovering at low rates and sectors of real estate, taxation of demand that developed the Doha Round, oppose all economic landscape. The and win-win results” as it the international financial and employment. South Africa economies were faced with. forms of protectionism and five countries have mapped builds a closer economic market has been volatile. has implemented radical Second, after initial exclusion, and ensure that all out the Strategy in a bid to partnership, promotes BRICS countries could hardly economic reform measures. adjustment and reform, the countries enjoy equal rights, systematically plan intensified implementation of the avoid being dragged down five countries are focusing on equal opportunities and equal cooperation and create a Strategy, furthers pragmatic by the world economy as it Prospects for the Next Golden overcoming the difficulties in rules in development. massive market for trade cooperation in various fields, slowly recovers towards more Decade economic development. They 2) BRICS countries will investment. Against the responds to global challenges, sustainable operation. A decade of painstaking are trying to enhance their continue to work together backdrop of the complex and creates the second Golden After more than 10 years efforts has resulted in a inner economic strength, to improve the international world economic situation Decade. Obviously, it will play of rapid growth, BRICS decade of gains. BRICS underpin macroeconomic monetary system, promote and the co-existence of a larger role in promoting countries have encountered economic cooperation has strategy with social policies, reform of Bretton Woods opportunities and challenges world economic growth, problems, both socially been consistently aimed at and thus enter a new period institutions and enhance the in economic development, improving global economic and economically. All of the objective needs of world of development by turning voice and representation BRICS will implement the governance and accelerating the member states are economic development. quantity growth to quality of emerging markets and Strategy, draw a roadmap common development of the experiencing an economic Cooperation has been deep improvement and through developing countries in global for long-term economic whole world. downturn that is considered and solid with impressive, inclusive growth. economic governance. Small cooperation, strengthen the cost of reform fruitful results. BRICS Third, BRICS countries states will play a great role in macroeconomic policy during economic policy has become an important have agreed on guided operation of the NDB, support coordination, take into adjustment and economic platform for cooperation construction that allows development efforts of BRICS account the respective The author serves as an associate professor transformation and upgrading between emerging countries more coordinated policies, and other emerging market development strategies of at the School of Government Management under Beijing Normal University and director by seizing opportunities for and developing countries. intensified cooperation countries and developing each of the five countries, of the Center for BRICS Cooperation. macroeconomic control. The golden BRICS shines and capitalization on countries and improve the and make joint endeavors to 20 21 STRATEGY BRICS Marching Forward

By Pang Zhongying

BRICS should become one of the most important global coordination mechanisms of the 21st Century and remain committed to reducing the negative impact of geopolitics, effectively avoiding global conflict and achieving lasting peace in a globalized world.

RICS member should be related to the world world order, and that pursuit states’ consensus order. Their stances on a series of some very important August 1, 2017: China’s Vice-Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen shakes on this issue. Coordinating hands with Marcelo Maia, secretary of commerce and services of Brazil’s Ministry BRICS member states’ on world order is of major issues concerning international initiatives of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, at the signing ceremony of a the most essential global governance are not proposed by China, especially memorandum of understanding on service trade cooperation between the two stances and policies on the requirementB for the BRICS in alignment. For instance, the Belt and Road Initiative, countries during the 7th Meeting of BRICS Trade Ministers in Shanghai. by Zhang world order should be given mechanism to be solidified as some believe that the BRICS is not meant to “reinvent the Hengwei/China News Service/VCG priority in BRICS cooperation a global institution. A review mechanism and its institutions wheel, and rather aims to and the bloc’s international of communiqués, statements such as the Shanghai- complement the development The BRICS mechanism and the Belt and institutionalization. and other documents on past based New Development strategies of involved BRICS cooperation shows Bank are intended to countries by leveraging Road Initiative can complement each Solidarity of BRICS Countries Is that BRICS countries share potentially replace existing comparative strengths.” Crucial commonalities as well as international institutions, China is “ready to share the other. The latter can reinforce BRICS Clearly, geopolitics is a differences in their attitudes while others consider BRICS experiences of development major obstacle in the way of towards world order. The merely complementary and with other countries, but has cooperation by injecting new content solidarity of BRICS countries. greatest commonality is that collaborative with current no intention of interfering and patterns. In the 21st Century, geopolitics they all think the current global institutions such as the in other countries’ internal hasn’t melted away due to world order needs to be World Bank. They want BRICS affairs, exporting our own globalization, but has become “reformed” or “improved,” in to coexist parallel to existing social system and model of to create is a big family of new international order. even more complicated. order to enhance its fairness, international institutions development, or imposing our harmonious co-existence.” As the world order stands at How should geopolitical inclusiveness, representation without challenging them. own will on others. In pursuing Meanwhile, China has a crucial crossroads, various obstacles hindering and efficiency. China is a key member of the Belt and Road Initiative, always emphasized that the countries are in heated debate international cooperation be Those documents also BRICS. Since the 18th National we will not resort to outdated international community and hold different views on eliminated? Other than giving show that although all BRICS Congress of the Communist geopolitical maneuvering. We should work together to forge its future. Considering this, up “geopolitical mindsets” member states are parts of Party of China (CPC) in 2012, hope to achieve a new model a new world order that is fairer BRICS countries should as some countries such as the existing world order, Chinese leaders have stressed of win-win cooperation. We and more reasonable and build hold high-level meetings on China have done, it also they have starkly contrasting on many important bilateral have no intention of forming a “community of shared future building the new world order requires redesigning and views on how the BRICS and multilateral occasions that a small coalition detrimental for mankind.” China defines to coordinate their stances reconstructing international cooperative mechanism China is part of the current to stability; what we hope itself as a “facilitator” of the and reach wide consensus rules to prevent geopolitics 22 23 STRATEGY CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

Xiamen Summit, they will continue “old development.” Will South-South cooperation globalization faces challenges, be able to intensify internal Data and analysis show herald an era of fast BRICS should shoulder solidarity. One noteworthy that “old development” development? These questions two new tasks: Help non- point is that BRICS countries would only generate greater are worth exploring. Western countries in Africa, are not only looking to challenges. Of course, it is not Third, BRICS cooperation Asia and Latin America protect their interests, but an easy task to define “new plays a significant role become new driving forces also to promote world peace. development” and achieve in promoting global and even the main engine The BRICS mechanism was “new development” because development. Prior to of globalization. Currently, created to safeguard peace. In the relationship between 2008, globalization (which European and American a sense, this has made BRICS old and new development began in the 1970s) was not developed economies cooperation indispensable for is extremely complicated. comprehensive and hadn’t remain the mainstay forces countries that may risk falling However, one thing is yet spread around the world. of globalization, but many June 23, 2017: The film Where Has Time Gone? premieres at the BRICS Film into conflict or even war if sure: “new development” At that time, some renowned doubt whether they will Festival in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The film is an anthology of five shorts there is no such mechanism. should be sustainable, American scholars admitted continue to play a leading by five renowned directors: Walter Moreira Salles (Brazil), Alexey Fedorchenko (Russia), Jia Zhangke (China), Madhur Bhandarkar (India) and Jahmil Qubeka In the future, other developing balanced, inclusive and fair that globalization was indeed role in the future. Meanwhile, (South Africa). [VCG] countries joining the BRICS — developmental concepts regional. Only when those key globalization cannot be mechanism should also accepted globally. non-Western countries such achieved through only the from hindering global BRICS should work hard pledge to help improve the Second, the BRICS as China, India and Brazil efforts of developed countries. development and world order. to become a catalyst and the emerging global coordination mechanism emphasizes became completely immersed If they can maintain sustained As an emerging international backbone of world peace. mechanism to continue the South-South cooperation. in the trend did globalization development, BRICS cooperation mechanism, It can achieve this goal by peaceful nature of BRICS Since its inception in really go global. countries will play a greater BRICS needs to optimize drawing on lessons learned cooperation. the 1970s, South-South The current international role in the transformation, its institutional design and from Europe’s century of China-India relations cooperation has weathered situation contrasts the 1990s diversification and deepening construction if it wants to play peace and progress (1815-1914) present a good example. 40 years of experience. Prior when developed countries of globalization. The other a central role in global peace, and eventually become a global History has shown that to the founding of the BRICS such as the United States task is to achieve real, development, governance coordination mechanism for even if the two countries mechanism, limited progress and Britain considered balanced globalization and and order. Currently, BRICS the 21st Century. Europe’s reach consensus on many was made in South-South globalization “inevitable.” rebalance the trend. Only is learning from international coordination mechanism used multilateral cooperation cooperation and countries of Nowadays, the pace of balanced globalization will financial mechanisms such as to be one source of today’s projects globally (within the Global South were plagued globalization is slowing last long. the Bretton Woods System, global governance. Only which, of course, disagreement by some of the worst conflicts worldwide, especially in We must realize that BRICS but it transcends all of them. when geopolitical obstacles and discord remain), such in the world. Will the rise of Europe and the United States. countries’ role in globalization Institutions built by BRICS are removed can countries cooperation plays a limited BRICS and the Belt and Road Some believe that the trend of is still smaller than that countries, such as the New around the world forge role in resolving their Initiative be a turning point globalization is even reversing. of Europe and the United Development Bank, are not public or common power complex bilateral issues. If for South-South cooperation? In the event that States. At this point, we must controlled by the largest to address global problems China and India coexisted properly evaluate the role of economy in the bloc (China). together. Evidently, BRICS in an institutionalized, close June 10, 2017: The BRICS Political Parties, Think-tanks and Civil Society BRICS countries, rather than All member states hold equal hasn’t defined itself as an international coordination Organizations Forum, themed “Pooling Wisdom and Efforts Towards Common exaggerate it. No one can rights in voting and operation. institutional arrangement for mechanism, things would Development and a Brighter Future,” is held in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian Province, deny that BRICS countries are China. [VCG] Consequently, BRICS is an global coordination. Following be different. Both countries pushing globalization forward. international cooperation the old “geopolitical path” will would be pressured to solve In the future, BRICS countries mechanism void of hegemony. only downgrade international disputes for fear that seceding will play a greater role than Currently, international cooperation frameworks from the mechanism would Europe and the United States relations academia has yet to like BRICS, and even make exacerbate problems. in promoting globalization. fully discuss hegemony-free them “talk shop.” If we make Perhaps globalization will international cooperation. BRICS a global coordination BRICS Cooperation Accelerates be truly global only when all The BRICS mechanism offers mechanism devoted to global Healthy Globalization BRICS countries are achieving the possibility of hegemony- peace, it can avoid getting BRICS cooperation has the “new development.” free international cooperation. trapped in the vicious circle of following features: However, only time will geopolitics. First, BRICS is a global The author is a renowned Chinese scholar tell whether it can outlast If BRICS countries can development initiative on international relations, a professor at the Ocean University of China and international cooperation reach consensus on global that aims to explore “new president of the Institute of Marine marked by hegemony. coordination at the upcoming development,” rather than Development. 24 25 STRATEGY

globalization in a broader governance, and hone the governance rules. and deeper manner, and bear current system of global May this year, Chinese responsibilities of global governance. President Xi Jinping delivered China’s Plan to governance to begin playing a For many years, BRICS a speech on the Belt and leading role instead of being a countries have contributed Road Forum for International follower in such efforts. tremendously to the Cooperation, advocating As a representative of formulation of rules for the establishment of a fair, Align with BRICS’ emerging economies and globalization and global reasonable and transparent developing countries, BRICS governance with substantial regulation system for should kick off its second achievements that have international economic trade decade by expanding its “circle promoted global governance. and construction around Development Strategy of friends”, unite emerging In recent years, every economic globalization that economies and developing BRICS leaders summit has is open, inclusive, mutually- countries, and strengthen resulted in suggestions and beneficial and balanced. South-South cooperation. opinions on the reform of the The initiative has won wide By Feng Xingke It should join hands with global economy and financial recognition around the world. developed countries that governance after leaders met advocate an open economy to to brainstorm methods of China’s Plan hedge against the conservative global governance. Today, different BRICS The BRICS development strategy synergizes with the Belt and Road tide of anti-globalization, In 2016, for instance, China countries are experiencing Initiative, which can be perfectly aligned with the development strategies of formulate new rules for hosted the G20 Summit in different social and economical global free trade, maintain a Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, development: China and India BRICS countries. multilateral trading system, where 29 achievement continue to maintain rapid form a platform for an open documents were realized. This growth; Russia has passed world economy, make rules showcases China’s ability to peak crises but is still plagued for fair and reasonable global formulate global economic by economic difficulties; Brazil

June 19, 2017: The Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs kicks off at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Beijing. [VCG] his year marks economies and developing development strategy, to the dawn of the countries, are full of explore the sustainable second decade of expectations. development of South- construction of the South cooperation, to create TBRICS mechanism as well Future Opportunities and a new model for win-win as China’s turn to hold the Challenges cooperation, and to pave a path rotating chair. As we embrace the second for common global prosperity. Under the theme “BRICS: decade of cooperation, Anti-globalization trends Stronger Partnership for BRICS are facing important and passive behavior of big a Brighter Future,” BRICS opportunities as well as great Western powers have altered countries are joining hands challenges. The current the new wave of globalization, to intensify their partnership, international community and international strength is review past cooperation is facing the situation that in a period of great change. experience, build consensus anti-globalization trends, The international order has for future cooperation, and protectionism and populism entered a “post order” era. For map out a new plan for are rising up, and many BRICS, this is a challenge as cooperation characterized unstable factors are increasing. well as an opportunity. by the motto “new starting In the face of these As both participant point, new motivation, new challenges, BRICS must and beneficiary of the measures.” strengthen the coordination global free trade system, Consequently, the and cooperation between BRICS should seize this international community, countries to jointly address opportunity to strengthen including BRICS countries severe international situations, cooperation, participate more as well as many emerging to further cement BRICS’ in global governance and 26 27 STRATEGY CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE is struggling through reform stability in South Asia. Bank (AIIB) as a founding power to cooperate in with new policies to aid its Modi also believes that member. South Africa intends infrastructure. economic recovery; and South China and India will to serve as the African hub of Chinese ambassador to Africa is striving to climb up eventually become perfect the program, making it a key Brazil Li Jinzhang praised from its economic low point. partners if they build concrete player in the Belt and Road Brazil’s painstaking efforts to This explains why BRICS mutual trust and communicate Initiative. align its domestic programs countries should stay together, more actively on specific President Jacob Zuma with the Belt and Road as always, to overcome topics, objectives and means expects to accelerate his Initiative. difficulties, reinforce each as well as on factors like the country’s industrialization and In May of this year, President others’ development strategy environment and employment. agricultural modernization Temer sent his strategic affairs to build a community of Rizhao Harbor in Shandong Province serves as a hub for railway and sea cargo People of different circles in and expand cooperation secretary Hussein Ali Kaloud transportation among five Central Asian countries, Mongolia, Russia, the DPRK, shared future and weave a Vietnam and other countries and regions. [VCG] South Africa have paid close in segments of bilateral to the Belt and Road Forum win-win cooperation pattern attention to the Belt and Road economics and trade, science for International Cooperation for a better future for all five In 2015, China and Russia and competition for global Initiative since its inception. and technology and energy held in Beijing. Kaloud countries. signed a joint statement on economic benefits as reasons Scholars believe that the idea through the power of the Belt asserted that the Initiative The Belt and Road Initiative, integration in Moscow, at not to participate. These of infrastructure connectivity and Road Initiative. will help lift Sino-Brazilian a key program of the new which time Russian President opinions are why India says in the Initiative coincides Brazil and Latin American bilateral relations to a new century, is the most important Vladimir Putin expressed no to China’s Belt and Road with China’s assistance in countries have always shown high, particularly in their trade public product that China, a belief in a harmonious Initiative. construction of railways, great interest in the Belt cooperation. large responsible country, has complementary relationship Others argue that the Belt highways, aviation networks and Road Initiative, which Overall, BRICS’ offered to the international between the two countries. He and Road Initiative has already and industrialization. they consider a new, fully- development strategy ideally community, and it has asserted that China’s Belt and had a positive effect in South Moreover, the Belt and open strategy and a great synergizes with the Belt and attracted global attention. Road Initiative is conducive and Central Asia and inspired Road Initiative will bring opportunity for development Road Initiative, as already The spirit of the Silk to accelerating a free trade a positive response from unprecedented opportunities that they should seize. demonstrated by participating Road is characterized by area in the Asia-Pacific region many countries around the to South Africa, especially in In this context, Brazil led countries including Russia, “peace and cooperation, and that some of its measures world. If India refuses to share the sectors of infrastructural Latin American countries South Africa and Brazil, openness and inclusiveness, would help implement a the benefits of the Belt and construction and the marine in joining the AIIB, which among many others. It is mutual learning and mutual proposal to integrate the Road Initiative, it will surely economy. has been well received by tremendously important for benefit, win-win results” and region. marginalize itself. These The South African Consulate politicians in ruling and BRICS to cooperate and move “sharing, discussing and co- May of this year, President analysts suggest India join General in Hong Kong and opposition parties alike. forward in the next 10 years. constructing,” making the Putin attended the Belt and the game as early as possible. Macao noted that although According to EL PAS, over As Chinese President program highly acclaimed and Road Forum for International In their eyes, the Belt and the country is embraced on the past few years, China Xi Jinping noted, BRICS accepted by many countries. Cooperation, evidencing Road Initiative aligns with the three sides by the sea and has invested substantially in countries are like five BRICS countries have Russia’s recognition and interests of India perfectly, bestowed with abundant Brazil’s infrastructure and fingers, long or short when responded to the initiative support for the Belt and Road especially in segments of marine resources, South energy, making it the largest outstretched – but they positively in general and are Initiative. industrial-park development Africa still has much work to beneficiary in Latin America. work as a fist when clenched now striving to align their own Of the BRICS countries, and infrastructure do to optimally utilize such Zanotto Thomaz, vice together. development strategies with India has shown the most construction: India needs to resources. “Blue” economic president of the St. Paul BRICS will clearly become the Belt and Road Initiative complex attitude towards learn from China’s experience progress can be achieved Federation of Industry and a leader of global governance to ensure mutual benefits and the Belt and Road Initiative. and can use its investment. under the framework of the Commerce of Brazil, expressed and globalization, create a win-win results. It hasn’t yet merged its While China’s Belt and Belt and Road Initiative by gratitude for creative ideas and new model for cooperation Construction of the Belt and own relevant development Road Initiative was taking collaborating with China in action like the AIIB under the and win-win results and lead Road has been accelerated, strategies with the Belt and off, Indian Prime Minister fields of marine transportation Belt and Road Initiative, which developing countries towards a and Sino-Russian strategic Road Initiative. Narendra Modi publicly and oil exploration, among he believes will gradually shared future by aligning with mutual trust has never been Some think-tank experts in declared that India intended many others. eliminate trade barriers development strategies and stronger in history. Fully India hold that the ideas of the to strengthen the construction South Africa has already between China and Brazil and sticking together to overcome aware of the potential benefits 21st-Century Maritime Silk of interconnection with South signed a memorandum of create more open space for difficulties. of such campaigns, Russia Road collide and overlap with Asian countries. Logically, understanding on jointly cooperation. has agreed to integrate its their country’s “India-Ocean the two countries can work building the Belt and Road Brazilian President Michel The author is a research fellow at the popular “Eurasian economic strategy” and point to the side-by-side to strengthen and became one of the first Temer admits that China is Center for China in the World Economy under Tsinghua University and deputy union” with the Belt and Road unsettled territorial dispute cooperation and jointly participants in the Asian now Brazil’s most needed secretary-general of the BRICS Economic Initiative. between China and India promote prosperity and Infrastructure Investment partner, with the greatest Think Tank. 28 29 TREND CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE of emerging markets and contribution a greater factor fundamental freedoms and developing economies. in the global fight against privacy, all BRICS countries They require developed terrorism. have deep interest in European economies to In the Ufa and Goa developing information and fulfill their promise to give Declarations, BRICS’ communication technology BRICS Security Cooperation up two IMF executive board cooperation in space and advocate an open, unified seats to enhance the voice exploration received and secure internet. As for and representation of the considerable attention. The the realm of energy security, poorest members of sub- declarations documented in November 2015, the first A Way to Go Saharan Africa. The countries their common position that BRICS energy ministerial appeal to the international international law gives all meeting was held in Moscow, community to make greater nations the right to peacefully which laid a framework efforts to implement the 2030 explore outer space and and foundation for energy By Lin Minwang Sustainable Development utilize its resources. And no cooperation between the five Agenda. arms or force should ever be countries. On June 7, 2017, As for specific security used in outer space to ensure the second BRICS energy Only by continuously strengthening the role of the BRICS Security Meeting issues, BRICS countries have the sustainability of outer ministerial meeting was mechanism will in-depth development of security cooperation among BRICS started cooperation and space activities. To promote held in Beijing. Participants achieved some progress in space cooperation among the of that meeting discussed be promoted. fields like the fight against BRICS countries, the first issues like energy security, terrorism, space exploration, meeting of the heads of the energy transformation and a network security and energy BRICS space authorities was platform for BRICS countries’ he BRICS Afghanistan has remained World Trade Organization security. In 2016, during held in Zhuhai, Guangdong energy research cooperation, cooperation consistent. and oppose trade India’s presidency of the Province, China, on October culminating in the publication mechanism, which The most solid foundation protectionism. They call for BRICS Summit, member 31, 2016. All parties agreed of a joint statement. can be traced for security cooperation the international community countries set up the first that space cooperation In general, compared to Tback to 2006, has become a among BRICS countries is to implement the Paris cooperation mechanism on would inject new vitality into cooperation in economic shining symbol of cooperation the five countries’ similar Agreement in accordance counterterrorism and in BRICS strategic cooperation and trade sectors, security among emerging markets stance on global governance with the principles of the September 2016 organized and confirmed that BRICS cooperation among the and developing countries and order. They are all United Nations Framework the first meeting of the countries would jointly build BRICS countries still has as well as an important committed to a fair and just Convention on Climate Working Group on Counter- a BRICS sharing mechanism many limits. Although BRICS force fueling the world international order based Change and to fulfill its Terrorism in New Delhi. for remote sensing countries can reach consensus economy. Alongside economic on the principles of the commitment to the provision On May 18, 2017, the second satellite data to help with on global issues and policies, cooperation, people-to- UN Charter and pushing of financial and technical meeting of the BRICS challenges such as climate cooperation in specific areas people communication and the international order in support to developing Working Group on Counter- change, natural disasters, often requires more work mechanism construction, a more just and reasonable countries to address climate terrorism was held in Beijing. environmental protection, and and is expected to experience BRICS countries have also direction. BRICS promotes change. BRICS countries found the sustainable development further growth. BRICS carried out a good deal of economic globalization At the same time, the BRICS extensive common interests of BRICS countries. security cooperation has a security cooperation over the to be more fair, mutually- countries have all expressed and broad cooperation space In cybersecurity, BRICS long way to go. Fortunately, last decade. beneficial and inclusive. similar appeal to reform in fields including terrorism countries have plenty of at the Seventh BRICS BRICS security cooperation Especially since Donald the existing international suppression, and they should common ground. Based on Security Meeting, all parties is centered on maintaining Trump took office, BRICS system. For example, the make full use of the BRICS international law such as recognized that only by a unanimous opinion on countries’ common ground BRICS countries called for anti-terrorism mechanism to the Charter of the United continuously strengthening major international matters. on international trade has comprehensive reform of the gradually expand pragmatic Nations and how it outlines the role of the BRICS Security “Declarations” reached by becomes more pronounced. United Nations including its cooperation in anti-terrorism political independence, Meeting mechanism will in- successive BRICS leaders All five countries support Security Council, to make information exchange, territorial integrity, equal depth development of security express the bloc’s attitude a rule-based, transparent, it more representative, law enforcement, capacity state sovereignty, settlement cooperation among BRICS on major global issues. non-discriminatory, open effective and efficient, and building and protection of of disputes by peaceful countries be promoted. Internal changes could lead to and inclusive multilateral to increase representation overseas interests, as well as means, non-interference differences on regional issues, trading system. They all of developing countries. to strengthening multilateral in the internal affairs of but the bloc’s stance on the follow the existing rules and They promote IMF’s reform The author is a research fellow at the communication and other countries, respect Institute of International Studies at Fudan Middle East, North Africa and obligations required by the to strengthen the voices coordination to make BRICS’ for human rights and University. 30 31 TREND CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

despite emissions levels a tenth or convergence of per- can reduce energy use by of the U.S. and a third of the capita historical emissions, 30 percent. Just 20 to 40 global average. India’s actions as an integral piece of percent of the transmission Climate Change should set the agenda for implementation of the Paris and distribution capacity is reframing implementation to Agreement, provides the used at a given time, drawing focus on solutions rather than framework for assessing on only about 40 percent Not a Physical multilaterally agreed targets national action without relying of capacity of power plants, and timetables, which are at on international targets, and reducing demand has a best a monitoring tool. monitoring and review. multiplier effect. Process but a Power and influence Second, usage of coal India should focus drowning out ideas explain has peaked in highly its national actions and how climate governance has industrialized countries multilateral debate on Social One been defined in the past – as well as in China, solutions: renewable energy global temperature goals and as saturation levels in September 3, 2015: The Amazon cooperation, energy efficiency annual emissions reduction infrastructure development rainforest in the state of Rondonia in and urban design supporting western Brazil. Brazil is the only major By Mukul Sanwal target symptoms as opposed and urbanization have been developing country to promise absolute shared and public transport. to measurements of human reached. Oil consumption reductions in emissions. [VCG] The Solar Alliance, along with well-being within global appears to have peaked in the electric vehicles and shared The climate change debate requiring shifted ecological limits, which point U.S. and Europe. An energy on nature. At the global mobility, should serve as a key focus to longer-term strategies presents a key towards the root cause of the transformation is taking level, transport accounts means of implementation of problem. Climate research, place worldwide marked for 35 percent of emissions the Paris Agreement. National opportunity for the thought leadership of India. largely financed by the U.S., by increasing investment in and manufacturing only 23 reports and their review pushed models focused on renewable energy. Global percent, while residences should focus on reducing production sectors while emissions of carbon dioxide account for 21 percent and the gap between potential new set of for the annual event, they ignoring energy end-use have remained steady for services 14 percent. Urban and practice in energy principles need to ensure they work sectors and consumption, three years, highlighting dietary patterns have changed efficiency in cities. Exchange is shaping together and maintain global which are now responsible measures that sharply reduce with meat production of experience on innovative implementation momentum in addressing for two-thirds of emissions. emissions without affecting accounting for 15 percent measures for urban mobility ofA the global climate climate change. This sets the framework of well-being. of the global greenhouse should be another feature of agenda. Longer-term The history of negotiating multilaterally agreed targets Third, the next point gas emissions, and a third annual deliberations. global trends, new global a global climate treaty has to deal with the problem. relates to the fact that of world food production is The question of how urban governance processes and been marked by periodic Consequently, Indian Prime three-quarters of the global wasted. The fastest growing societies manage (or fail a shift from maximizing concessions to the U.S. and Minister Narendra Modi’s call population, economic emissions are in the urban to manage) the imbalance growth to fostering Europe working together. to frame the Paris Agreement activity, and emissions of transport sector, which are between human well-being higher-quality growth are Both President Trump and around ‘climate justice’ ended carbon dioxide will soon be expected to double by 2050. (private goods) and planetary leading to integration of Scott Pruitt – head of the U.S. with the term relegated to in cities. According to the Per capita car ownership in limits (public goods) forms climate change, reduction United States Environmental the Preamble rather than an International Energy Agency, China is one twelfth of the the central problem for in emissions of carbon Protection Agency – appear operational principle. urban infrastructure, land use U.S., and India has only a third climate governance. Global dioxide and sustainable to be confident that the At the upcoming BRICS policies and energy efficiency of China. Transport emissions environmental change is development characterized trend will continue. These summit, India must be have the potential to reduce pose the greatest challenge. fundamentally a social by globally comparable developments create an bold enough to re-frame greenhouse gas emissions by Finally, the climate debate process necessitating work at standards of living for all in opportunity for BRICS implementation around 50 percent by 2050, without needs to shift focus to longer- the local level in all countries. national growth strategies. countries to step in and fill cooperative solutions in five affecting well-being. Energy term strategies as opposed to It is an opportunity for The subject of climate this vacuum left in the global key areas: efficiency expands the carbon annual emissions reductions. thought leadership of India, change is high on the agenda climate agenda. First, it must be noted budget without bringing new For example, worldwide, and BRICS as a whole, to lead and expected to be among India’s role today is even that per capita emissions in costs and should be the heart most cars spend more than work on the most important focal points of the upcoming more crucial. As a late Germany are half of those in of global climate policy. 95 percent of their lives in challenge of the century. BRICS summit scheduled to developer with a strong the U.S. China aims to cap Fourth, the search for garages or parking lots and happen in China this year. As potential for growth, the its emissions around that solutions in policy is shifting most roads reach anything The author has served as director in the the five participating nations, country now shoulders great level and India’s emissions to drivers, trends and patterns near peak usage only once a Climate Change Secretariat and authored The World’s Search for Sustainable Brazil, Russia, India, China, pressure to do more and will likely peak at even lower of energy use and away from day and typically in only one Development, published by Cambridge and South Africa, gear up assumes a leadership position levels. ‘Climate justice,’ merely considering the impact direction. Tilting car windows University Press. 32 33 CASE STUDY CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE “mission creep” characterized rather than seeping into the within the next five years. by ever expanding institutes financial systems of Western However, funding from only and steadily deteriorating countries and exacerbating the five members will hardly performance. developmental imbalances meet the bank’s needs in The NDB is “new” because among countries. Such providing medium and long- The Widening Path of shared incentive is employed factors have been cited by term infrastructure financing. as a new practice, which world-renowned economists And it would be difficult attracts BRICS nations including Nicolas Stern and for the bank to earn a high to contribute new funds, Joseph Stigliz, who have international credit rating the NDB experience and knowledge expressed support for the within such a short time. on infrastructure financing establishment of the NDB. Thus, local currency financing to projects that benefit was elevated from an option developing countries. In Hitting the Ground Running to a priority strategy. In 2016, By Ye Yu terms of its unique strategic Two years after its the NDB issued its first green vision, the NDB intends to inception, the NDB has been bond worth three billion be “new” in a broad range of making steady progress, and RMB in the Chinese inter- areas including relationships, its market status has been bank bond market. This was The NDB adopts an equal decision-making mechanism and emphasizes project types and instruments cemented preliminarily. the first time a multilateral localized development. By mobilizing the resources, experience, and as well as approaches. First, the bank’s development bank issued Contrasting traditional organizational structure a green bond denominated knowledge of BRICS nations, the bank will serve as a new driver of multilateral development and strategic planning in the Chinese currency in infrastructure building and sustainable development in developing countries. banks, the NDB has adopted have taken initial shape. Its China. The NDB also plans a mechanism enabling equal first five-year plan (2017- to raise US$300 million to access in the decision-making 2021) was approved by its US$500 million via rupee process – and no country has Board of Directors and denominated masala bonds. veto power, which ensures published in early July 2017. Third, the bank has he idea of in Shanghai in 2015. open doors to the facilitation Basic policy framework reinforced its market establishing the The NDB was established of cooperation among BRICS in various fields including position focused squarely on New Development in a certain context: First, nations. BRICS states already organizational governance, sustainable development and Bank (NDB), a a serious shortage of control huge capital reserves. corruption deterrence, loans, infrastructure construction. multilateralT development infrastructure construction According to the World procurement, environment In 2016, the NDB’s Board of bank co-founded by funds was bottlenecking Bank, China’s 2014 aggregate and social standards are Governors approved seven the BRICS nations, was development. According savings rate reached 49 already in place. The bank projects worth a total of introduced at the 2012 BRICS to the Organization for percent, ranking top among now employs a staff of about more than US$1.5 billion. summit in New Delhi, India, Economic Cooperation the world’s major economies 100, a figure that is expected These projects were based in March 2012. According and Development, global and dwarfing the global to increase to at least 125 by in the five BRICS countries, to the agreement, “the Bank demand for infrastructure average of 24 percent. And the end of 2017 and 400 by with two in China and shall mobilize resources for financing will reach US$50 the same rate for India was 33 2021. The NDB attaches great two in India. Of the seven infrastructure and sustainable trillion before 2030, 60 percent. The foreign exchange importance to the recruitment projects, six are renewable development projects in percent more than the total reserves of BRICS nations of young employees, the ideal energy programs, and the BRICS and other emerging actual expenditures over the also lead the world. China’s people to further innovate its only exception is a highway economies and developing past two decades. By then, foreign exchange reserves development. project in India’s Madhya countries, complementing the the annual financing gap August 17, 2017: South African alone account for more than Second, the local currency Pradesh. In the next two to existing efforts of multilateral will reach at least US$500 President Jacob Zuma speaks at the one third of the world’s total. financing process of the three years, the scale of NDB launch of the NDB’s African Regional and regional financial billion. Second, expansion Center in Johannesburg. [VCG] Using modern financial BRICS nations has begun. The loans is expected to double institutions for global growth of traditional multilateral instruments and governance bank’s funds come from the annually. With comprehensive and development.” After development banks is were limited, resulting in structure, these funds will five shareholders. The NDB’s consideration of social and two years of negotiations, hindered by political restraint. poor funding capacity for be “internally recycled” to initial capital of US$50 billion economic benefits, two Agreement on the New Since the 2008 economic infrastructure construction. more effectively contribute to was equally contributed by thirds of loans will go to Development Bank was signed recession, reforms on capital Furthermore, over the past 50 infrastructure construction the five members. With paid- “sustainable infrastructure,” in July 2014, and the bank increase and voting rights years, organizations like the in developing countries and in capital of US$10 billion, meaning projects that will officially opened for business promoted by the G20 group World Bank have experienced boost their productivity, the balance will be paid cause positive transformative 34 35 CASE STUDY CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

China’s pivotal role in with other multilateral rating has proved more If the five BRICS nations can promoting South-North development banks to difficult. Capital markets collectively act as a powerful cooperation. Along with the provide access to greater of BRICS nations still need political force, the NDB can aforementioned financing resources. The first batch of improvement, costs for local better explore local resources localization, the NDB’s seven projects approved by financing are comparatively and realize developmental focus on local development the NDB are all individual high, and unstable economic advantages. However, is maintained through the financing programs primarily and political situations in because competition between following steps: supported by the governments some BRICS countries are BRICS nations is so intense First, employee recruitment of its five members. The challenges to be overcome to at present, distribution of and purchasing policies NDB stated that it views improve the NDB’s financing relative gains has become a are localized. While all development banks from its capabilities. pressing problem. Optimal In 2016, the NDB’s Board of Governors approved seven projects. Of them, six are renewable energy programs. The only other is a highway project in India’s Madhya NDB employees hail from member states as “strategic Second, incomplete national distribution of resources Pradesh. [VCG] BRICS nations, AIIB recruits partners” and will learn governance systems bring among the five nations international employees. from their inspirational risks. The NDB mainly relies has yet to be satisfactorily benefits to both the on the concrete conditions At present, three of AIIB’s models. By contrast, by the on the borrowers’ national realized, which increases the environment and society. of each project. Today, many vice presidents hail from end of June 2017, 12 of the systems. While this practice operational costs of the bank. The other one third will institutions including the developed countries outside 16 projects approved by the can indeed enhance project Inspired by the AIIB’s be invested in “traditional World Bank and the Asian the region, namely, Britain, AIIB were joint financing efficiency, market supervision membership expanding, the infrastructure” to mitigate Development Bank are using France, and Germany. In programs with other financial regulations of the BRICS NDB also seeks to expand potential external risk. borrowers’ national systems terms of the purchasing institutes including the World nations still need to be further its membership to overcome Fourth, the NDB more often. But since some policy, the NDB, in principle, Bank, Asian Development improved because of the its problems and further places emphasis on members are less developed, it only make purchases from Bank, and European Bank different national conditions develop. Contrasting the commercialization and is hard to promote this its members, while the for Reconstruction and and stages of development and BRICS Summit which focuses efficient operations. The NDB new practice. AIIB’s purchasing policy Development. transition of BRICS countries. on emerging economies features expanded commercial is open to the world. Thus, The NDB places more and developing countries, operations and lacks soft- Local Roots even though some countries Vigorous Growth social and environmental the NDB’s criteria for loan windows. It has flexible The NDB and Asian like the U.S. and Japan are The NDB is a new responsibility on the borrower membership are more flexible financing methods including Infrastructure Investment not member states of the institution. Its organization, country. Thus, despite the and practical. To promote the loans, stock equity, guarantees Bank (AIIB) are often AIIB, their citizens and governance and policies bank’s utilization of external bank’s further development, and co-financing. And its mentioned in the same enterprises can equally enjoy still have room to be tested, supervision, it still suffers Agreement on the New prospective borrowers are not breath. Both banks are the opportunities offered by honed and improved. A stable from information asymmetry Development Bank stipulated limited to sovereign states. The dedicated to mending defects the AIIB. marketplace for the NBD is and weak supervision, which that membership of the bank NDB has no standing Board in the existing international Second, partnerships and expected to form within the can lead to diffused risk. In shall be open to borrowing of Governors, and considers financial system, mobilizing standards are localized. next five to 10 years. Before the future, if the NDB accepts and non-borrowing members, prospective borrowers’ funds in emerging economies Already, the NDB has that time, the bank needs to developing countries with which means that developed policies, regulations and and supporting infrastructure signed memorandums of overcome the following major comparatively weak national countries are not excluded institutions to manage their projects in developing understanding with nine challenges. governance systems as from membership. According loans, in principle, which countries. Moreover, both multilateral development First are problems of members, these problems will to the bank’s five-year plan, greatly reduces administrative banks attach importance banks to learn from their international credit ratings be exacerbated. it should maintain a rational costs. For each project, the to flexible and efficient experience. According to and financing costs. When it Third, joint force of the proportion of developed, NDB will appraise the quality governance patterns. NDB President K.V. Kamath, was just 18 months old, the BRICS nations needs to middle-income and low- of the borrower’s environment, However, the two banks although his bank will seek AIIB obtained a AAA credit be strengthened. The EU income countries when societal situation, credit and have gradually veered off co-financing projects, this rating, the highest score given integration process provided recruiting new members, procurement system. As long on different development realm will only account for by Moody’s Investors Service. a solid political foundation evidencing that the bank is as the bank’s requirements are paths since their respective a small proportion of NDB’s The rating is tied to the bank’s for the development of open to developed countries. met, the borrower’s own laws, inceptions. operations. The bank’s initial abundant capital and strong the European lnvestment The participation of new regulations, and supervision As a platform to promote focus will be independent support from developed Bank. And the European members will make the NDB system will be applied as South-South cooperation, the projects that will allow the countries. At present, lnvestment Bank, in return, more international. much as possible. Only when a NDB places more emphasis young bank to learn and although the NDB has supported the infrastructure country’s systems fail to meet on localized development. improve its capabilities. Only received high credit ratings connectivity between old and The author is an associate research fellow the qualifications will the bank The AIIB, which is more with improved operations will from Chinese rating agencies, new Europe, which promoted at the Shanghai Institute for International adopt other standards based international, embodies the bank be able to cooperate reaching the top international the EU integration process. Studies. 36 37 CASE STUDY CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

parcels delivered to Russia, And about 42 percent of all agreement to establish a 90 percent came from China, internet users regularly buy cross-border e-commerce four percent from the EU and things online. While Russia’s logistics platform between the two percent from the U.S. In online retail accounts for two countries. Moreover, the Cooperation and terms of capital ratio, China only two percent of its retail China-Russia E-commerce accounts for 52 percent, the total, China and the U.S. are Promotion Association and EU for 23 percent and the at about six and 10 percent, China’s cn.hisupplier.com U.S. for 12 percent. Each day, respectively. According to signed a cooperation Development of China- more than 500,000 parcels on the Russia E-Commerce agreement to jointly set average travel from China Association, the present up a vendor hub for China- to Russia. contribution rate of the Russia trade. Russia Cross-border In 2016, the volume of internet economy to Russia’s commodities purchased by GDP is about 2.8 percent, Challenge vs. Opportunity Russian netizens from China and the contribution rate of The exchange rate of saw an increase of 78 percent markets related to the internet the Russian ruble has been E-commerce and expenditures almost economy to the country’s unsteady as of late. When doubled compared to 2015. GDP is as high as 19 percent. sanctioned by Europe, future At the same time, the number Still, these numbers lag far Russian customers will of customers on China-based behind developed countries. become even more sensitive By Maria & Li Min Russian online stores has Russia’s e-commerce market about price and turn to increased by 38 percent. is just taking shape, and online shopping — especially However, Chinese China-Russia cross-border commodities from China. Strengthening institutionalized cooperation between mid-sized and e-commerce companies’ e-commerce cooperation China’s cross-border online smaller enterprises from BRICS nations is a prerequisite for a bigger voice cultivation of the Russian could have enormous retailers should embrace more market is just beginning. potential. developmental opportunities. in the market. BRICS nations could standardize e-commerce protocols for According to the latest In 2017, e-commerce The biggest problem international trade organizations. statistics from the market cooperation between China hindering China-Russia cross- research company eMaketer, and Russia became even more border e-commerce today Russia is home to 87 million frequent. Russian Railways remains customs clearance. n May 2017, the past three years. While its of regular postal trains internet users, the largest and China Railway Express Since Russia’s customs BRICS E-Commerce overall economy is stuck between Moscow and Beijing of any European country. reached a cooperation service allocates personnel Cooperation in a downturn, its trade and a regular Moscow cargo Experts Dialogue with China has exhibited flight by Chinese delivery October 13, 2015: Jack Ma (center), founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group, is joined by diplomatic envoys to China Iwas held, during which an strong growth. China-Russia giant SF Express has further from 39 countries for the launch of the 2015 Tmall Singles’ Day sale, the world’s biggest online shopping event. [VCG] e-commerce cooperation relations are presently facilitated the rapid growth of initiative among the BRICS enjoying one of their best the e-commerce industry. nations was produced. In periods of development early August, during the in history. Under the Russia’s E-commerce Market Is meeting of BRICS Trade cooperation framework of a Blue Ocean Ministers, the cooperation BRICS, the comprehensive Russia’s cross-border initiative was approved. It strategic partnership between e-commerce market intends to promote BRICS China and Russia has been has enormous potential. nations’ trade growth, deepened and strengthened. According to Yandex, Russia’s industrial transformation, Multi-dimensional, wide- most popular search engine upgrade and employment ranging and multi-level and largest e-payment and help developing cooperation between the service provider, 2016 trade countries and mid-sized and two countries has seen rapid volume of China-Russia smaller enterprises become progress, highlighted by cross-border e-commerce embedded in the global the development of cross- exceeded US$2.5 billion, and value chain. border e-commerce. Rapid Russia’s major cross-border Russia has endured development of the logistics e-commerce platforms are market turbulence for the industry including the launch all from China. Of all foreign 38 39 and infrastructure based 2016 U.S. presidential election in an Asian way. In a sense, of China-Russia economic on regular flow of imports results were announced, a AliExpress’ development in and trade cooperation. and exports, they are not Donald Trump wig could Russia embodies the website Today, the world urgently fully prepared, in terms of already be purchased on the and even Alibaba Group’s needs trade rules adapted staff, facilities, and existing website. Backed by China’s international expansions to the internet era. In the processes, to deal with booms powerful manufacturing ambitions. At the same time, traditional global trade of incoming small parcels industry, no Russian online AliExpress is promoting structure, 20 percent of from overseas. As a result, shopping websites offer Russia’s transformations in transnational corporations customs clearance process cheaper commodities than logistics and banking and hold dominant positions in bottlenecks and expansion is AliExpress. A cotton T-shirt changing the psychographics the international economic prevented when packages pile made in Dongguan sells for of Russian customers. area. However, with the up at customs. about US$1, and sometimes deepening globalization Russia is the largest February 6, 2017: EMS employees sort parcels in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province. shipping is free. E-commerce Regulations process, small and mid- country in the world, According to Yiwu customs, the top three overseas destinations for packages AliExpress’s Russia team among BRICS Nations sized enterprises as well as and mail from Yiwu are the U.S., Russia, and Spain. The most commonly shipped spanning nine time zones. Its commodities are accessories, clothes and glasses. [VCG] already consists of more than From January to June, individuals are replacing logistics challenges in online 70 employees working to 2017, bilateral trade transnational corporations shopping are more difficult adapt Taobao.com to Russia. volume between China to play a more central role in than any other country. The common practice local e-commerce companies More than 500 Russian and Russia reached nearly world trade. Strengthening Russia’s infrastructure, for Chinese cross-border and shift their role from enterprises now work with US$40 billion, an increase institutionalized cooperation logistics networks, postal e-commerce companies to retailer to wholesaler, or shift AliExpress. AEmall under of nearly 26 percent on between small and mid- service and delivery have solve payment problems is the opposite direction and AliExpress has become a the same period last year. sized enterprises from BRICS not improved significantly to partner with local Russian delve deeper into Russia to do branded e-mall providing Bilateral trade volume for nations is a prerequisite in many years. The country logistics companies. Russian business, which could foster local shipment, Russian- the year is expected to top for a stronger voice in the lacks both handling ability logistics companies help greater opportunity. language customer service, US$80 billion. China has market. According to Russia’s and experience to meet the Chinese internet retailers ship and local post-sale service. been Russia’s largest trade first deputy economic demands of an e-commerce goods, collect payment and AliExpress: Changing the The past ten years have partner for six consecutive development minister Alexei explosion, which makes transfer money. However, this Spending Habits of Russian witnessed the mutual years. China-Russia cross- Likhachev, statistics from the pile-ups of packages system has major problems. Customers development of China’s border e-commerce has United Nations Conference frequent. For Russian The entire process from a In Russia, people on the logistics and e-commerce exhibited a good development on Trade and Development e-commerce enterprises and buyer placing an order to a street would probably not industries. A similar scenario trend in recent years, and show that by 2018, 40 percent entrepreneurs, the crucial Russian logistics company name Amazon as the most is currently happening in is becoming a new trade of e-commerce’s “business factor for success is smooth transferring payment to the popular online shopping Russia. Over the past three pattern. Thus, promoting to consumer” service will logistics, which significantly Chinese company usually platform. Most will say years, Russia Post’s delivery e-commerce cooperation be happening in developing raises the threshold of the takes two to three months, “AliExpress.” time from China dropped to has become a major part countries and countries in Russian e-commerce market. which prolongs the process Launched in 2010, as few as seven days from as of bilateral economic and transition, and the share for Russia is a cash-driven of funds withdrawal and AliExpress, dubbed the many as 30. trade cooperation. During developed countries will economy. Generally speaking, adds operational difficulties international version of Since February 2016, the the Fourth China-Russia drop to 60 percent. BRICS Russians do not trust online to the China e-commerce the popular Chinese online Russian Central Bank and the Expo in June 2017, the nations could standardize payments. Although analysts companies. It will take time shopping website Russian National System of countries held an e-commerce e-commerce protocols predict usage of credit to change the situation. Taobao.com, entered Russia Payment Cards, (NSPC) pilot cooperation conference for international trade cards will rapidly increase However, with the Russian in 2012. It took only five years payment cards dubbed “Mir,” themed around the idea that organizations. BRICS nations in Russia in years to come, government and Russian for the online retail service can be used on AliExpress. “cross-border e-commerce are now working on the their penetration at present enterprises promoting online to become the largest and This practice aims to attract promotes the innovation possibility of cooperation is comparatively low. Many payments, and the industry the most visited e-commerce more Russian end-users to and development of China- and will release uniform Russian credit cards cannot maturing in the country, this website in Russia. Every day, AliExpress. And the two sides Russia economic and trade e-commerce rules for its even be used for online problem will gradually be 500,000-plus parcels are signed a memorandum of cooperation.” The conference member countries. payments. And those still solved. shipped from China to Russia. understanding in March of strengthened communication brave enough to engage in Another solution for For Russians, AliExpress is last year. and cooperation between opening an online payment Chinese cross-border the portal to any commodity Russian media has e-commerce companies business must endure e-commerce companies is to from China, from the compared what AliExpress from both sides and set a Author Maria is a manager with Yandex’s department of resource optimization. banks’ complicated security change their business model. mundane to the exotic. For has done with what Coca Cola foundation for promoting Author Li Min is a senior advertising assessment process. They can supply goods to example, the day after the achieved in the 1990s — but innovation and development executive with Yandex’s China branch. 40 41 DISCUSSION CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

In the past year, the economic cooperation mechanism of BRICS has been consolidated, and intra-BRICS cooperation on e-commerce, intellectual property rights, trade promotion, and small and micro enterprises has been strengthened. The five nations also agreed to further boost cooperation in the fields of insurance and reinsurance, taxation reform and customs, and to explore the possibility of setting up a BRICS rating agency based on independent and market-oriented principles. How Will BRICS Start The BRICS nations have also conducted communication and consultations and made substantial progress in the fields of agriculture, information technology, disaster management, environment preservation, protection of women and Another “Golden Decade” children’s rights, youth, tourism, education, technology and culture.

Manmohan Agarwal Reserve Bank of India Chair Professor at the Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala There are two sorts of activities that BRICS can undertake. One would Concept by China-India Dialogue be actions that enhance their prosperity either in the economic sphere or social sphere, or international security. The second would be actions that enhance the efficacy of the operation of the international system. One of the In your opinion, what has been the most major problems with the system of international economic governance has important achievement made under the BRICS been the manner of operation of the Bretton Woods institutions (the World cooperation mechanism in the past ten years Bank and the International Monetary Fund). Problems have been with conditionality. The concept of conditionality runs counter to their own rhetoric that a country owns the changes. If the country owns the reforms then they don’t need conditionality. Also the conditionality imposed seems to have no relation with the problem. Conditionality has rendered the IMF, in particular, dysfunctional. The BRICS nations, by setting up the New Ronnie Lins CEO of Center China-Brazil: Research & Business Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), Several great things were accomplished by BRICS. I was particularly have the opportunity to establish new rules of operation for international moved by the idea of uniting so-called “emerging” countries, which could organizations. The establishment of these organizations is the most collectively wield economic and political weight that transcends much of important achievement of the BRICS cooperation mechanism. the great world powers. Another important point has been the unity of “countries of continental dimensions.” They can together solve their internal problems to generate Jia Jinjing Director of the Macro Research Department, Chongyang Institute for better quality of life for their people – do things like eradicate poverty Financial Studies, Renmin University of China together. This organization also has great potential to help other The BRICS cooperation mechanism was born in 2006, and the BRICS countries which can benefit from similar measures. Many of them are our countries have enjoyed a “Golden Decade” marked by notable results. African brothers. The total economic output of the five BRICS members – Brazil, Russia, India, China and later South Africa – accounts for nearly a fourth of the Boris Guseletov Senior research fellow from the Institute of Europe of the Russian world’s total, and they have contributed approximately 50 percent of world Academy of Sciences economic growth. BRICS has gradually evolved into a model for mutually- Though confronted by the global financial crisis and the ensuing economic beneficial cooperation between emerging markets and developing countries downturn, the BRICS countries made remarkable achievement in the past from previously an investment concept into concrete results. Today, it plays ten years. One of the most significant achievements of BRICS has been the an important role in promoting world economic growth and improving setting up of the New Development Bank, which is progressing at a steady global governance. pace and is expected to play a critical role in supporting developmental projects in the BRICS economies. The BRICS Business Council has been interacting with the NDB to build closer partnership and facilitate funding Yazini April Research specialist at the HSRC’s Africa Institute for key developmental projects. Financial and economic cooperation, particularly related to the BRICS The initiation of the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) has Bank — the New Development Bank (NDB) — has served as a new and beefed up the global financial safety network. innovative model for further South-South cooperation. 42 43 DISCUSSION CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

countries’ strong collective voice in global governance, but also the result of inevitable evolution of global patterns. History shows that BRICS does not impose its will on others – rather, it has fostered a greater output of public Compared with other multilateral products while ensuring independent internal affairs, thus creating a new cooperation mechanisms, what’s the model worth studying and applying to global governance. innovation of the BRICS mechanism Second, BRICS countries have accumulated rich experience in economic and trade cooperation. The present world economy needs a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation for growth. During Ronnie Lins the past 10 years of cooperation, BRICS has impressively explored areas of Because the group was made based on characteristics of emerging countries new economics, e-commerce, trade, investment facilitation, innovation and rather than “continental dimensions,” BRICS has placed its focus on mutual development, earning valuable experience in the process. cooperation for economic development which correlates with the needs of Still, there is huge space to capitalize on complementary advantages solving social inequality. However, it should be remembered that given the between the BRICS countries, which are able to promote construction enormous economic and political weight of BRICS in the world context, of a big, closely interconnected market characterized by infrastructure all the major world issues inexorably deserve the group’s participation and connectivity, open trade and investment, and monetary and financial influence. interconnection. This will open new avenues to win-win results in economic growth. Boris Guseletov Third, BRICS has promoted people-to-people exchange. BRICS countries are BRICS countries are the most important engine for world economic growth located in several continents, and each has an iconic and profound cultural and will be the backbone for materializing such perspectives. On the way of legacy and different channels of communication with the world’s major development, BRICS nations are forming a joint force and making a unified cultures. The intensification of comprehensive exchanges among BRICS voice, while providing new solutions for fueling economic growth and across multiple sectors such as business, academia, media, think tanks, and optimizing global governance. Through strengthening North-South and literary and art circles are promoting people-to-people exchange as it helps South-South cooperation, BRICS is expected to inject new vitality, open to construct a community of a shared future. new dimension for international development and cooperation, and drive Fourth, BRICS has founded a new type of cooperation mechanism. The the world development in a robust, sustainable, balanced and inclusive way. five members have established a cooperation mechanism while furthering development in political, economic, and cultural realms, forming a comprehensive cooperation mode different from the Western G7, which is flat and mostly networking, hence providing a new type of cooperative Manmohan Agarwal platform for emerging-market countries and developing countries – which If these institutions can be made to work effectively either without are home to 80 percent of the world population – and allowing developing conditionality or a reformed conditionality, that will have tremendous countries to share the results of growth. impact on the current international economic organizations. The NDB has the opportunity to fill an important gap that has arisen in the international aid architecture. The lower middle-income countries have graduated Yazini April from the IDA (International Development Association) but still have In general, BRICS countries have gradually become aware that they considerable needs for cheap credits to finance their infrastructure. Given share mutual interests in international affairs and actively participate in the lags in infrastructure construction and the difficulty to make them self- international multilateral cooperation. Along with other more traditional financing, ordinary World Bank loans are not suitable for financing them. If multilateral economic organizations, BRICS countries consistently weigh the NDB can step in to fill this gap, it will be a signal achievement. in on international economic affairs. For instance, through APEC and the OECD forums, BRICS countries have conducted various forms of Jia Jinjing international coordination activities in response to global and regional Over the past 10 years, BRICS has grown from an investment concept on issues of common concern. The G20 has become an important platform for paper to a multi-level and multi-sector cooperation framework featuring them to strengthen cooperation and provides a new supporting mechanism meetings between leaders, ministers and senior private-enterprise for their participation in global economic governance. representatives on security issues and a host of other issues. Over the last few years, BRICS cooperation has stayed with the principles of “two- wheel” drive with economics and politics, which has paved new roads for South-South cooperation. Compared to other multilateral cooperation mechanisms, BRICS has innovated its mechanisms in four ways: First, BRICS swiftly changed member countries’ role from a participant to a leader in global governance. This is not only the result of the BRICS 44 45 DISCUSSION CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

In the next ten years, in which areas do you expect the most breakthroughs to be made in the BRICS cooperation

Ronnie Lins Manmohan Agarwal BRICS faces several challenges in the coming years, but I am looking Two areas are going to be of critical importance: financial services and forward to greater agility in transforming cooperation agreements into development of new technologies. Financial services are important to concrete action. Areas I expect to see progress made include free trade create a smooth conduit between savers and investors. Except in China, zones, infrastructure that improves the competitiveness of products where the state plays a very important role in making this process and services, shared technological advances of the “Fourth Industrial smoother, other countries lack an adequate mechanism. As a result, Revolution” in the global productive sector, financing of development investment levels in Brazil, Russia and South Africa are much lower today programs for companies and social action, among other activities. than they have been in the past. Low levels of investment are responsible for low levels of growth. Even in India in recent years, levels of investment Boris Guseletov have fallen as the commercial system is clogged by non-performing assets. 1) Boosting confidence. When the global economy was bogged down in the Though generating new technologies is very important, governments may financial crisis with excess volatility in markets, frozen capital flows and find it difficult to successfully intervene in this process and so may find it plummeting international trade, it was the BRICS, with stable economic easier to deal with the financial system. growth of its members that prevented the global economy from falling apart. In stark contrast to the developed countries floundered in financial turmoil, the BRICS kept marching ahead steadily, thus conveying a message Jia Jinjing to the market that there were still hope for the world economy. In the coming decade, BRICS will become a heavyweight in global 2) Strengthening cooperation. The BRICS members are not just pursuing governance and international affairs. To fix the imbalance of the global their own interests, they are also committed to the world’s common good. economy, it is necessary to increase developing countries’ participation in To manage the financial crisis and save the global market, the BRICS global governance, enhance the right to discourse and ensure more say in countries enhanced macroeconomic policy coordination with other decision-making to build an equal world order together. BRICS cooperation economies. Despite the limited resources that were greatly needed for in global governance continues to intensify. their own economy, BRICS contributed a total sum of US$180 billion to During the BRICS leaders informal meeting in 2016 on the sidelines of the the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in two rounds, helping other G20 summit in Hangzhou, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed that countries in trouble to weather the storm. Now the crisis is fading away, BRICS countries work together to improve global governance by increasing but the BRICS members are committed to maintaining the momentum representation and the right to speak of emerging markets and developing of macroeconomic policy coordination and strengthening cooperation to countries. safeguard international financial stability. At BRICS Goa 2016, the group reiterated the G20 Action Plan on the 2030 3) Proceeding with reforms. The BRICS members are firmly committed Agenda for Sustainable Development to promote economic global governance to global economic governance reforms so as to reflect changes of world while stressing an anti-terrorism theme and actively designing an economic configuration featured in the growing weight of emerging international order that is peaceful and stable. and developing countries. Motivated by the BRICS, the IMF and World Bank have both decided to reform their governance. The Financial Yazini April Stability Forum, once dominated by the G7 industrialized countries, Industrialization will probably be widely celebrated. BRICS must promote has been reconfigured to the Financial Stability Board with broad and development programs and recognize that development programs for equal participation of emerging economies, and has evolved into a more infrastructure connectivity must be scaled across regions to meet the UN representative institution of international financial standard setting. 2030 Agenda.

46 47 DISCUSSION CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

particular sectors. Cooperation and learning from each other may generate Which challenges your country faces can be solved more technological change over a broad front. As in many areas they are by the BRICS cooperation mechanism at similar technological levels, such cooperation is possible and can be successful.

Ronnie Lins Jia Jinjing Brazil is currently experiencing political problems, but the government At present, the world’s “long-period economic downturn” hasn’t yet is trying to make necessary reforms that have never been achieved by any bottomed out, as deep-rooted contradictions are continuously exposed. other government. It is time that Brazil put priority on programs that will International cooperation mechanisms such as regional economic and trade change social inequality instead of focusing on internal political disputes. arrangements, regional groups, the Bretton Woods system and the G20 Brazil is a country of continental dimensions. It has tremendous resources, have navigated the course of the global economy. Today, however, the world but requires support to even begin exploiting some of them, a predicament is experiencing many new changes economically: Emerging markets and that BRICS can aid immensely. I would point to technological development developing countries account for a bigger part of the global economy, and and infrastructure, which could lead to reduced production costs, increased Eurasia has become a major power for global production and consumption. productivity and development of products and services with greater value Establishing new concepts of and blazing new paths to international added. cooperation have become urgently needed for global development. Brazil has great potential for new investment and will certainly become one China’s voice in global discourse has become increasingly louder in recent of the great world powers in the future. years in respond to these urgent needs. While facing challenges, the BRICS countries have also ignited opportunity in new directions for globalization. Boris Guseletov Internally speaking, BRICS countries are complementary in economy, and 1) The slowdown of the economy as a result of sanctions of the Western as emerging economies, they are all in the stage of economic growth. countries, which have a particularly painful effect on the financial sector The BRICS countries have been reformers of international financial order and the attraction of high-tech equipment and modern technologies. since the day BRICS was formed. Over the next 10 years, they will lead 2) Strengthening the common security forces of the BRICS countries in the another round of world economic development and fuel another round of context of an aggressive US policy. globalization with mechanisms including the BRICS Development Bank Putting pressure on Russia, the West intends to impose political and and its “Contingent Reserve Arrangement.” economic isolation. To overcome this isolation of Russia, it is very important to have support from other countries, and especially the members of BRICS in all areas. Russia also aspires now to promote its integration project of the Eurasian Yazini April Economic Union (EEU). However, due to the difficult economic situation South Africa as well as the African continent has benefited from economic within the country, the implementation of this project is also fraught with cooperation with BRICS partners. South Africa’s trade with BRICS a number of difficulties. To overcome them, it is very important to try to countries has increased by 70 percent. In 2014, its total trade with BRICS ensure the interfacing of the projects of the EEU and China’s Belt and Road was US$29 billion (R382 billion), up from US$20 billion (R268 billion) in Initiative. 2011. Africa has doubled its total trade with BRICS since 2007 to US$340 billion (R4.2 trillion) in 2012. Manmohan Agarwal Despite the economic statistics, challenges remain for South Africa to more India would benefit if the BRICS countries could jointly set up regulatory deeply cooperate with BRICS, most of which relate to poverty alleviation. and supervisory systems for financial institutions. India has not been Poverty alleviation is not just a South African challenge — countries in able to benefit from its high rates of savings, unlike China in the past. BRICS face the same situation along with many of the G20 members. The India has also not been able to establish institutions that would generate creation of sustainable development, reduced inequality of living standards new technologies. Each of the BRICS countries has been successful in and improved economic growth are ideal items for this year’s BRICS agenda and should be examined further.

48 49 DISCUSSION CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

Jia Jinjing How will the BRICS cooperation mechanism influence Within the G20, the somewhat more inclusive platform for global economic and promote the reform of global governance governance, BRICS and the G7 are two of the most important transnational mechanisms. After 10 years of development, the BRICS mechanism has gradually started working alongside the G7 in global governance. Ronnie Lins First, BRICS shoulders a heavy task in global governance. The BRICS I think President Xi’s governance model is a source of inspiration. First, it countries account for nearly 40 percent of the world’s population, and they has well-defined and clear steps on achieving the “Chinese Dream.” Then, have seen a rapid economic development in recent years. In a decade, their by analyzing other components of the model, we can determine how it total share of economy has risen from 12 to 23 percent, contributing more could be appropriately customized for any developing country, regardless than 50 percent of world economic growth. Because BRICS is the largest of its particular policy and ethical or religious nature. driver of the global economy, it needs the greatest “enhancement” of its The ultimate aim of the model is to promote improved quality of life for right to speak and vote in global governance. Chinese people, especially by eradicating poverty. Second, BRICS and G7 share the global governance “stock” responsibility. I have no doubt that BRICS, which has already focused on social About 30 years ago, the total economy of the seven Western countries inequality, will certainly gain even greater weight in the global context in accounted for about 85 percent of the world’s total, and the G7 became a the years to come. premier platform for global economic governance. After the international financial crisis in 2008, those countries have not been able to shake off the shadow of low growth, and their proportion of Boris Guseletov global economic output has dropped to below 50 percent. Nevertheless, BRICS proposed a new paradigm of inter-governmental cooperation the G7 has always been the pace car for the G20 and BRICS to follow. featuring openness, inclusiveness and common development. A good Therefore, the G7, as a more mature mechanism, shares the same example was a dialogue between BRICS and African leaders, when some responsibility in global governance as BRICS. African leaders hailed the event as the first of its kind allowing them to Finally, both BRICS and the G20 share the responsibility of leading global conduct dialogues with big countries out of their region, on the basis of governance. The 2016 G20 summit in Hangzhou, China, was a critical equality and genuine partnership. That’s totally different from the dialogues turning point in the history of global governance. All kinds of reports on they used to have with former colonial powers. BRICS is an ongoing cooperation in 2017, such as the recent Media Note of the Meeting of the process compatible with the historical trend of peace, development and BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations, evidence cooperation, and represents a progressive force in international relations. the clear-cut mission of BRICS to share responsibility in G20 policies BRICS countries account for 29.6 percent of the world’s territory and 42.3 – a marked difference between the development of BRICS and the G7. percent of the world’s population. Their GDP amount to 21.3 percent of The BRICS mechanism is becoming the standard-bearer of the G20’s the world’s total last year. Economic vitality and social stability of these fundamental policies. countries constitute a solid foundation and driving force for international peace and stability. Pragmatic and efficient cooperation among BRICS leads to more balanced global economy, more democratic international relations Yazini April and more effective global governance. While BRICS countries and other emerging economies have been pushing for deep reform in global governance, their national interests and world views differ, which makes complete alignment in global governance Manmohan Agarwal reform, such as the UN Security Council reform, unlikely. BRICS was Despite the rhetoric, South-South cooperation has not made much progress created to address financial governance for developing countries and over the years. Often too many countries with diverse interests are involved. should probably focus on that objective first. Broadening the scope on the Successful cooperation among the BRICS countries can encourage others reform of global governance is a bit complex for current member states. I to also engage with them. BRICS can become a nucleus around which think it’s too soon for that. broader South-South cooperation can develop. South-South cooperation would enable developing countries even as the developed countries to avoid stagnating.

50 51 DATA CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

A Decade of BRICS Cooperation

Edited by Hu Zhoumeng Designed by Andrey Maleev

Since its launch in 2006, BRICS has evolved from an investment concept into an influential international mechanism and a major bloc to hedge against financial crisis, drive economic growth and democratize international relations, after consistently fostering positive development through the years.

52 53 DATA

54 55 YOUNG VOICES CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

I continued At first glance, I compared day, things transformed from both Guangzhou and Xi’an trouble into joy. The new food thinking a lot to the Chinatown in São and language made my life in Paulo. However, I eventually China more enjoyable. My Story with BRICS about China discovered a plethora of Furthermore, I was absolutely surprises. stunned by the city’s history. after returning First was the diet. Xi’an’s There are plenty of museums cuisine, compared to Chinese in Xi’an. Historical buildings to Brazil. I will dishes I have eaten frequently, like the bell tower and drum Countries always miss such as fried rice and spring tower still stand and play rolls, seemed completely pivotal roles in citizens’ lives the great time different. Spicy, sour and salty as they evidence the city’s are the most common flavors lustrous history dating back to For a Closer Partnership through I had in China. of Xi’an dishes. Liangpir (cold the Western Zhou Dynasty (c. I will definitely rice noodles dressed with 1046-771 BC). The city’s river People-to-People Exchange sesame sauce and pepper) of history still flows strong. return the first and Roujiamo (also called I long believed that the “Chinese burger”) are Chinese people in general chance I get. maybe the most popular Xi’an tend to avoid friendship with specialties throughout China. foreigners. But in China, I Then there was the discovered that most people language. When Cantonese are very kind and easygoing. Concept by China-India Dialogue speakers speak mandarin, Even if they speak shyly, they it sounds soft and slow. The likely have warm and friendly Xi’an accent is much faster hearts. I made many great and more “stiff”. Moreover, friends in China with whom I they like to add an “er” to the still keep in touch. end of words (which is also I continued thinking a lot common in Beijing). When I about China after returning to Exchange Student to In late July 2016, I left São long, it wasn’t boring at all – had just arrived in Xi’an, it was Brazil. Many habits that were China: An Unforgettable Paulo on a journey to Xi’an stunning landscapes outside very difficult to communicate formed in China have persisted. International Studies University. the window escorted the train with locals. I couldn’t I drink a lot more tea now, and Experience After a 20-hour flight, two other to its destination. Traveling understand anything out of often invite my friends to join Brazilian exchange students from south to north, the moist their mouths, nor could they me. When bidding farewell to Marcelo Medeiros and I finally arrived at Baiyun climate gradually became arid, my words – the dialect was friends and relatives, I walk Age: 26 airport in Guangzhou, China. and the sky turned more and unlike anything in my Chinese them to the gate or bus station. Occupation: Student of Chinese After deboarding the plane, more clean. language books in Brazil. These small details mean a lot language and literature at the we headed to Guangzhou Many people visiting a University of São Paulo, Brazil Although the food was to guests. Birth place: Brazil railway station for another 7 new place tend to compare different and environment I will always miss the great Current residence: São Paulo, Brazil hours on a high-speed train. it to places they have been unfamiliar, I quickly became time I had in China. I will definitely Though the trip was very before, and I am no exception. accustomed to both. Day by return the first chance I get.

56 57 YOUNG VOICES CHINA-INDIA DIALOGUE

Chinese Ice Hockey this amazing game was gaining Fortunately, Chinese players South Africa and two oceans, Cape Town is I visited. Perhaps most striking traction in a country full of are quick learners. They made by far the most stunning city I about Cape Town is that its Stepanov Dmitry passion and energy: China. a fast progress in both skating Through Indian have ever visited. Even though mansions lining the beach, Age: 25 Hockey has been in China for technique and puck control. Eyes South Africa was most recently some of the prettiest in the Occupation: Master student of just a few years, but its fanbase China is well on its way Karan Bajaj ruled by the British, its Dutch world, are situated less than 10 journalism, East China Normal expands every year. Moreover, to the creation of a hockey influence is more pronounced miles from some of the world’s University Age: 26 the sport is even creeping school, which is an exciting Occupation: Development sector than any other external most dangerous ghettos, Birth place: Moscow, Russia further south to cities like Hong development for Chinese kids. culture. Cape Town is a city known as the flatlands. Current residence: Shanghai, China consultant Kong and Macao – places that When I watch them training, I Birth place: Mumbai, India that should rate as a paradise Despite being the only BRICS seem too hot for such a game. can see the interest and hockey Current residence: Mumbai, India my most standards: the ocean, country in Africa, South Africa China now faces the difficult, hunger in their eyes. Many, mountains, fantastic weather is not exactly representative but exciting challenge of or even all of them, must be year-round, ultra-chic houses of the continent considering developing a national hockey dreaming of playing hockey and fabulous restaurants and its unique economic trajectory school. To strengthen its own professionally, representing bars. Who wouldn’t want to compared to its neighbors, not hockey, the Soviet Union China and playing for the live in this city? to mention its unique culture. established such schools in national team. And now they However, I must also add Despite geography thousands the 20th Century. The schools finally can do it. Through a that all this beauty is still of miles away from the developed as Russian coaches hockey school, they will learn draped in the shadow of two nearest European capital, the and players innovated new more about the traditions and factors that have shaped the vibrant country seems more exercises and playing styles, secrets of hockey. narrative around South Africa culturally bound to Western designing Russian hockey with Russian and Chinese children in the recent past: racism and Europe than many places Hockey is my favorite sport. successful tactics of football, teams already play against wealth inequality. South Africa on the eastern side of that While studying in Shanghai, basketball and handball. As a each other in tournaments. has tremendous economic continent. China, it was wonderful nation with considerable hockey Kunlun Red Star, the first potential given its vast South Africa also happens to discover that hockey is experience, Russia could help Chinese hockey team in the reserves of minerals such as to be the birthplace of two of becoming more and more China in this regard. Now, the NHL (National Hockey League) gold, diamonds and platinum my role models: Elon Musk, popular there. managing directors of the KHL system, has embarked on and excellent infrastructure who constantly reminds me Hockey has a long history. At (Kontinental Hockey League) its first season. In the future, and has already developed into that I’m not thinking big the end of the 19th Century, and the General Administration hockey will continue spreading an established hub for many enough, and Roger Federer, Canadian boys started to of Sport of China are seeking to many countries in Asia. multinationals. However, the whose passion for tennis chase the puck across frozen plans to develop hockey in The KHL is planning to create country hasn’t been able to live should be a benchmark for ponds. In the mid-20th Century, China, popularize the sport, a children’s championship As a self-proclaimed up to its potential as a high- any endeavor in life. Both of this strange Canadian game teach Chinese children and featuring teams from Russia, Afrophile, I’m ashamed to growth nation mainly because these individuals immigrated immediately captured the recruit a national team. China, Japan, Korea and North admit that I did not know much its wealth distribution is so to Western countries to get hearts of millions of Russians The work has just begun. America. about South Africa before going lopsided, and they are also where they are today and and remains one of the most The KHL offers master classes The Winter Olympics will be there on a 10-day holiday last battling widespread corruption. achieve their full potential. popular sports in the country. in various Chinese cities, held in Beijing and Zhangjiakou, August. I had been to Ethiopia, It is sad that this country However, such stories will not Hockey tends to be more not only to kindle Chinese China in 2022. Hockey will Kenya and Zambia but nowhere has still yet to recover from be the norm in the future. I popular in northern places, so hockey, but also to learn the surely be one of the important could have prepared me for the apartheid era – the gap will eagerly watch for more I assumed it would be difficult country’s emerging strengths events of the games. I hope how breathtaking the Western between whites and blacks and South African stars with bated for the sport to be introduced in the sport. Russian coaches that both the Russian and Cape region in South Africa is. the haves and have-nots was breath and wait to see more to warmer locales in the South. were eager to share all the Chinese hockey teams perform Nestled between mountains very prominent in every town successes from South Africa. I was shocked to discover that traditions of Russian hockey. excellently in the tournament.

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Meditation to corpses floating on the Ganges of India, you will always hear Mandarin Making Bridge competition allows Mandarin we make friends River alongside live Hindus some critical voices on political foreign students to come around the world.” To my Understand India bathing in it, the persistence of and economic issues. In the Friends Around the together around the beautiful amazement, I received the top the Sadu to detach from their modern context, India has been language of Mandarin. After mark in this event. Li Cheng World body to refine the soul, tea frequently viewed as a poor, selecting contestants by After my speech, all that Age: 31 Occupation: Student, graduated from farmers’ reciting Tagore poems backward, and even barbaric Lebone Kgengwenyane Chinese language skill level, was left to do was impress Age: 17 the Social Science Department of the in Assam and meditation lasting country. Especially during the Chinese national knowledge, the judges with my talent. Occupation: Student at Pretoria Chinese Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TIIS), for as long as a week. Orientalism movement in Chinese cultural skills and I recited a poem about School India Outside opinions of India Europe in the 19th Century, comprehensive learning ability, the famous story of Mulan Birth place: Atteridgeville, South Africa Birth place: Xi’an tend to swing between either colonialists narrated a secular standouts get an opportunity followed by a martial arts Current residence: Pretoria, South Africa Current residence: Berlin burning passion or little interest India to the whole world from to win a scholarship to study in performance. It was my first at all. However, any love or the perspective of so-called China. It sounded amazing! recitation of Chinese poetry. hate of India is surprisingly civilized men, a first impression I saw the positive influence More than memorizing the similar: Laid-back people which solidified rigid images the competition had on the poem, the challenge was enjoy the quiet atmosphere of Indian civilization in the contestants’ personalities and understanding the depth and and things like people reciting Western World and informed character. It teaches you to be background. My work in these scriptures in various temples the secular understanding strong, responsible and socially realms allowed me to use the anytime and anywhere, while of India. interactive. right body language and facial the impatient people can’t The development of I told my mother about the expression to emote—it turned tolerate waiting at all. Those modernism has inevitably event and she encouraged me out fun as much as difficult. I desiring spiritual detachment moved in a monolithic direction. to one day sign up. For some really enjoyed it! My love for sit and meditate anytime and But it is essentially insulated reason, I knew 2017 would be martial arts started in primary anywhere, while champions from the diversity of Indian my year. school during a Chinese of modern science scoff. Those culture. Years after I left India, The first I heard of the On Friday, August 4, all culture camp where we got to with open mind start to grasp I one day suddenly felt true Chinese Bridge competition was contestants were invited to a do Chinese traditional dancing, an understanding the diversity understanding of the axiom in 2007, when I was in my first dinner to mingle and get to calligraphy and martial arts. I of slum culture, while others that by visiting every country Mandarin Chinese class. After know each other as well as got very interested in all Acquiring true understanding just write it off as chaos. in the world except India, you many years, I had developed draw lots to determine the of them. of life in India is a joyous People tend to view some would understand about half great love and passion for the competition order. The actual When my name was process that must be separation between “modern of the world—especially in a Chinese language and culture. competition took place the next announced as the winner of accompanied by the ancient India” and “ancient Indian mental sense. Since I left India, I asked my Mandarin teacher day on August 5 and began the preliminary contest, all I and melodious Sarod tune to civilization.” The former refers I have remained close to Indian about the Chinese Bridge with a written test followed by could do was sit in shock as the brisk and cadenced rhythm to India as a modern nation literature, philosophy, religion, competition. prepared speeches and a talent my teachers and parents came of Dholak. from the common secular phonology and thought. What My mandarin teacher performance. to hug my partner and me. I Just mentioning the word understanding. However, the I miss most about India is the explained that it is a Chinese I was very nervous when was so happy and pledged to “India” brings to mind numerous latter should be viewed from vanishing non-secular values, proficiency competition for giving my speech. As a foreign redouble my efforts for the gods and a mysterious history. the perspective of civilization, ways of life and thinking. Now, foreign students learning student, memorizing it required next competitions. I will pursue Its iconic cultural elements spirit and philosophy rather even though I have strayed Chinese all over the world, a lot of time, effort and Mandarin in college and make include dialogue rituals between than a secularist mindset. far from India, whenever I which can motivate learners determination. Nonetheless, I sure I find work that requires human and divine at dusk in Unfortunately, many people feel tired I can still took out to perfect their Chinese believed in myself and in the speaking Mandarin. From my Varanasi, the division of life and have been blinded by the Tagore poems to comfort my and get more familiar with hard work that my teachers and experience studying Chinese, I death represented by burning secularism. In any discussion impetuous mind and soul. Chinese culture. The Chinese I put in. My topic was “Through learned that.

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Movies Moving BRICS Joint productions and film festivals foster emotional connections

By Sudeshna Sarkar & Xia Yuanyuan

The five short films in the anthology represent five diverse cultures on a common theme – time and how our lives have been changing so fast with it.

June 2017: Directors from the five countries attend the opening ceremony of BRICS Film Festival.

adhur Bhandarkar in June. Minister Narendra Modi whose lives were becoming is a universal language but with a lung problem survive,” was shocked to “This was the first time I proposed a BRICS Film Festival predictable, cleverly tapping it is!” Qubeka exclaimed. “In he explained. “The countries find an email in participated in a collaborative in 2015, Chinese President Xi Chinese history, culture and 108 minutes, we traveled are different, but the emotions M his inbox from project in my life,” admitted Jinping suggested producing martial arts. It begins with around the globe. While we — love and sorrow — are internationally acclaimed Jia, whose film Still Life, a a collective BRICS film, and Jia a ferocious fight to death are different in some ways, we universal.” Chinese director Jia Zhangke, tale of the self-destruction was contacted to coordinate. between two adversaries and have the same basic values and Alok Rajwade, the star of who wrote him with an unusual of a city as the Three Gorges Where Has Time Gone? the empress emerging from her experience the same emotions. Kaasav (Turtle) by Indian proposal. Dam was under construction, also includes When the Earth royal chamber to be greeted by As a film director, I am more directors Sumitra Bhave and Jia asked Bhandarkar, a won the Golden Lion at the Trembles by Brazilian director loyal subjects. But everything fascinated by what makes us Sunil Sukthankar, won the best successful film director in 2006 Venice Film Festival. “We Walter Salles, whose Motorcycle turns out to be a gimmick to the same than what makes us actor award for his portrayal of India’s Bollywood, if he would [the five BRICS nations] share Diaries based on Ernesto Che promote tourism. The warriors different.” a suicidal young man in a film be interested in making a social similarities and profound Guevara’s work was nominated and empress are all costumed Both the collaborative film addressing another universal short film as part of a five- civilizations, but we have for two Oscars, I Am Your Time employees to give tourists more and the other films shown trend. story anthology. Jia planned different ways of dealing with Now by Russian director Alexey photo opportunities. at the festival highlighted “Depression and suicide are on making one of his own and challenges. The five short films Fodorchenko and Stillborn, Bhandarkar’s Mumbai Mist connections between the major universal problems,” recruiting directors from the in the anthology represent five South African director Jahmil deals with the issue of an aging five countries. Fodorchenko’s remarked Mohan Agashe, other three BRICS countries diverse cultures on a common Qubeka’s apocalyptic sci-fi film population that is perplexed drama about a young woman producer of the film. “The (Brazil, Russia, South Africa) for theme – time and how our lives set 10,000 years in the future, by modern technology and attempting to keep her lover highest suicide rates in the the others. have been changing so fast which is populated by robots. isolated from younger people alive by improvising a breathing world are in China, India and Bhandarkar agreed without with it.” Jia Zhangke’s contribution, who are immersed in their device after an accident leaves Japan. Realizing the severity of hesitation and less than a year The first seeds of the Revive, uses the two-child own lives and mobile phones. him paralyzed and unable the situation, the World Health later, the anthology, Where collaborative BRICS film project policy announced by the Such a story could easily be set to breathe was inspired by a Organization has declared 2017 Has Time Gone?, premiered at were sown at the summit of Communist Party of China in in China or any other part of Chinese story he found during the year to ‘Fight Depression.’ the Second BRICS Film Festival BRICS leaders in Goa, India, 2015 to weave a poignant story the world. a visit to China. “It was about We wanted to address this issue in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, in 2016. After Indian Prime about a long-married couple “It’s cliché to say cinema a family trying to help a son in a positive manner and chose

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The film Where Has Time Gone?, co- On the closing ceremony of BRICS Film produced by all BRICS countries, hit Festival, a Special Award goes to the big screens in June 2017, featuring crew and five directors who produced the theme of time and people’s life. the film Where Has Time Gone?. film as the medium because it modest 1,845 in 2002. Today, “How can we introduce small is a universal language.” the Chinese film industry films to other countries? This Where Has Time Gone? is financed by nearly 2,000 film festival is a wonderful will screen again at the investors in over 500 venture platform to reach a larger BRICS Summit in Xiamen capital firms. audience.” in September. Jia noted Loktak Lairembee (Lady of Along with enlarging markets, that it will also be shown the Lake), a 2016 film directed BRICS films and film festivals at film festivals around the by India’s Haobam Paban Kumar are also creating people-to- world. Four more BRICS co- that was inspired by Still Life, people contacts, one of the productions are expected to enjoyed a boom of new interest primary objectives of the bloc. be released by 2022. and viewership after the “Everyone knows that The current situation is Chengdu film festival. Although China is a big movie country,” creating huge opportunities for Kumar has been rising through noted Biswas during his BRICS filmmakers, especially the ranks of global filmmaking, first trip to China. “What we considering the massive size he remains hardly known in his don’t see from outside are of the Chinese and Indian own country. One reason is that cultural exchange and human domestic film markets. As Han his films are in the Manipuri contact. We came to Chengdu, Sanping, chairman of China Film language, which is spoken talked with people, shared Group Corporation, pointed out, only in the tiny northeastern food and made emotional “Any film screened in China is state of Manipur which has a connections. This will enhance guaranteed tens of thousands population of only 3 million our creativity and foster better of viewers.” or so. Although Loktak has communication and fellowship In 2016, China’s box-office English subtitles and won many in filmmaking.” revenue reached 49.2 billion awards, its performance was yuan (US$7.2 billion) thanks to paltry compared to Bollywood’s over 70 million moviegoers. By blockbusters. May 2017, China had more than “Small films don’t get access Author Sudeshna Sarkar is an editorial consultant with the Beijing Review 45,000 screens nationwide, to large markets,” Sankhajit weekly. Author Xia Yuanyuan is a an exponential jump from the Biswas, editor of the film, said. reporter with the ChinAfrica magazine. 64