As this year progresses, the whole world has seemed to be stuck in the mud from the unrest in the Middle East.
In contrast, leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, or the BRICS, met in Sanya, Hainan Province last week, vowing to join forces in reshaping the global political and economic orders and to seek shared prosperity.
The momentum exhibited by the cooperation among the BRICS is so robust that some view it as a brand new player, the B5 to rival the G7.
The success of the BRICS cooperation mechanism is mainly reliant on the internal driving forces between the members rather than on external pressure or irrational impulses.
The cooperation between BRICS countries sets up a new model of international cooperation, as the horrors of the financial crisis still echo, and represents the effort to bring about a new international order.
In his speech titled “Broad Vision, Shared Prosperity,” Chinese President Hu Jintao shared his observations on maintaining global peace and stability, on promoting the common development of all countries, on bolstering international exchanges and cooperation as well as on strengthening partnership among the BRICS for common development.
Firstly, common development serves as the fundament. To share prosperity is the only way forward for BRICS countries after the financial crisis. It is a common aspiration among all countries, both developed and developing, to seek swift economic recovery.
To seek common development is the main reason that compelled the BRICS members to come together. With a total population of 3 billion, BRICS countries are culturally and socially diverse.
Countries that attach undue emphasis to their own interests, sell so-called “universally-accepted values” or seek protectionism cannot make lasting alliances on the international arena. Equality is stressed as part of seeking development among the BRICS countries.
Secondly, the ultimate goal of the BRICS countries is to establish a more equal and fairer world with a new system. Global challenges such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, droughts and diseases, which dwarf conflicts between nations, have raised the international alarm bells.
Serving as an important platform for dialogue, BRICS countries seek pragmatic cooperation despite any historical spats and territorial disputes they may have.
Thirdly, stability is also capital, as recognized by all the BRICS members and serving as a cornerstone in the creation of new international orders.
In retrospect, economic crises always bring about instability and turbulence to the world, and have even initiated wars and conflicts. At this crucial moment, the utmost interest of the world is to maintain stability and to provide a peaceful environment for economic recovery.
A peaceful and stable international environment is an essential prerequisite for further development.