China warns against hegemonic practices, economic decoupling

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said “group politics”, “bloc confrontation” and military alliances will lead only to “wars and conflicts”, urging the international community to oppose hegemonic practices in what appeared to be a veiled criticism of the US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato), which Beijing has long accused of provoking Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum and delivered a keynote speech in Beijing via video link, urging BRICS ((Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) solidarity, openness for peace, development. He also reiterated China’s criticism of Nato and support for Russia – without directly mentioning either. The Chinese president added that “blind faith in the so-called ‘position of strength’” and “attempts to expand military alliances and seek one’s own security at the expense of others will only land oneself in a security dilemma”.

Xi said disputes between countries should be resolved through dialogue and consultation and countries must stay committed to maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains. The Chinese leader spoke out against economic decoupling against the backdrop of a global economy threatened by a pandemic and security challenges “Economic globalization is an objective requirement for the development of productive forces and an irresistible historical trend,” Xi said. “We should uphold the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, remove barriers to trade, investment and technology, and keep the global economy open,” he said. BesidesJingping, Indian PM Modi, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Russian President Vladimir Putin attended and addressed the forum.