BRICS, African countries foreign policy and China’s claims

Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Egypt joined the BRICS group of major emerging economies on January 1. So far, the members were Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Some of the largest energy producers in the world were connected with some of the largest energy consumers among developing countries. Argentina also received an invitation to join BRICS, but its new president, Javier Milei, withdrew the offer made by his predecessor, Alberto Fernández.

African countries take an increasingly individualistic approach to foreign policy, sometimes acting inconsistently with international powers. Israel’s war with Hamas contributed to the African Union quickly and decisively siding with the Palestinians, and its president called on both sides to end hostilities. Many governments in Africa support the creation of a Palestinian state, while the authorities of Kenya, Ghana, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have shown solidarity with Hamas.

China is strengthening its territorial claims against India by building new settlements along the disputed border between the two countries. In an area of over 3.5 km from the border with the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, China is strengthening its presence by building the so-called xiaokang villages, which translates as “moderately wealthy”. The country claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet. According to leader Xi Jinping, maintaining Chinese territory is “the key to building a strong country.”