BRICS: PRC Supports Expansion; Argentina Likely to Withdraw Application

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Nov 21, 2023

Image copyright: Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images News via Getty Imagesstory last updated Nov 21, 2023

The Facts

A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry reiterated Beijing's support for the expansion of the BRICS ("Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa") grouping of developing nations on Monday, stating a news briefing that any country interested in becoming a member will be welcomed.
This comes as Argentina's proposed foreign minister under President-elect Javier Milei, Diana Mondino, told at the victory rally on Sunday that the country would likely decline membership on claims that there is no clear benefit for Argentina to enter the BRICS.

The Spin

Anti-China narrative

BRICS is merely a notoriety-seeking PRC-dominated group that comprises countries that have nothing in common, except the ambition to attain relevance in geopolitical affairs. Each nation certainly has its own reasons for applying to join the group, but, ultimately, doing so can only deepen its dependence on China.

The Diplomat

Pro-China narrative

The more that BRICS expands, the closer the world will be to a new, multipolar international order — with a robust, peacebuilding China —based on win-win cooperation and mutual respect that will replace the centuries-old exploitive Western dominance system. It's outrageous that the US and its allies keep judging the bloc and its members by their own standards.

Cnfocus