Fostering High-Quality BRICS Partnership

Upon the backdrop of drastic changes and the pandemic unseen in a century， the world is facing various security challenges， lackluster global economic growth， rising risks of geopolitical conflicts and extraordinarily severe and complex international situations. As a group of emerging market economies with global influence， the BRICS has been a positive， stable and constructive force in international affairs. Upholding the BRICS spirit featuring mutual respect and understanding， equality， solidarity， openness， inclusiveness and consensus， the BRICS has established and cemented the partnership which becomes a shining example of cooperation among major countries in the new era. Faced with new requirements and tasks presented by the changing international landscape， the BRICS actively fosters high-quality partnership to concretely add stability and positively contribute to the international relations undergoing volatility and transformation.

FEATURES OF HIGH-QUALITY BRICS PARTNERSHIP

Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in early 2022， the international situation has been worsening and volatile and world peace， stability and cooperation have been under threat. In such a situation， only by strengthening solidarity and fostering high-quality partnership can the BRICS effectively address the challenges brought about by the drastic changes. The high-quality BRICS partnership essentially lies in high-quality development and high-level security.

High-quality development is fundamental. Development has been the mission and objective of the BRICS cooperation; promoting common development has been the underpinning principle of the BRICS partnership. However， faced with the dual impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict， the lackluster world economy is suffering from more and more uncertain factors. The Chief Economists Outlook released by the World Economic Forum in May 2022 suggested that the world this year would witness less economic activities， higher inflation， lower real wages， exacerbating food insecurity and risks of tipping the global economy into recession. Under such circumstances， boosting high-quality development has become the priority for the BRICS and the essence of high-quality partnership. The BRICS should connect global industrial chains and supply chains， support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development， foster the global development partnership featuring solidarity， equity， balance and universal benefits and facilitate a more robust， green and healthy global development.

High-level security is the key. Since security is the prerequisite and guarantee of development， it is necessary to address both development and security. The Russian-Ukraine conflict not only exacerbates geopolitical conflicts and major-power rivalry but also acutely challenges international security and stability by posing such non-traditional security threats as fluctuations in the global financial market， food crisis， energy crisis and refugees. Jointly addressing the complex and volatile international security environment through closer security cooperation is the best option for the BRICS. The profound adjustments in state-to-state relations against the backdrop of drastic changes offer more options for ambitious BRICS that aspires to become major powers and pursues strategic independence， while enhancing solidarity and cooperation and protecting and expanding the rights and interests of developing countries and emerging market economies at large also remain the due responsibility of the BRICS. Therefore， while pursuing strategic independence， the BRICS should bear in mind the bigger picture of cooperation， reinforce strategic communication and coordination， deepen security cooperation at various levels and in various fields， embark on the road of new-type security and build a global community of security.

The high-quality partnership is essentially comprehensive， close， pragmatic and inclusive. The partnership is “comprehensive” in the sectors and dimensions of cooperation. While consolidating the three-pillar-driven cooperation in the areas of political security， economy and people-to-people exchanges， the BRICS continuously expands sectors of cooperation and adds new dimensions. The partnership is “close” in the BRICS relations and interactions. The BRICS cements the BRICS strategic partnership to strengthen communication and coordination on major international and regional issues and enhance strategic mutual trust. The partnership is “pragmatic” in the outcome-oriented approach. The BRICS should act on the outcomes and consensus of previous summits to achieve concrete cooperation results. The partnership is “inclusive” in the “BRICS+” cooperation platform. The BRICS intensifies the cooperation with other emerging market economies and developing countries at more levels， in more sectors and larger scope for common development and prosperity.

PATHWAY TO HIGH-QUALITY BRICS PARTNERSHIP

Building a high-quality BRICS partnership rises to the drastic global changes as a natural choice. To this end， the BRICS should champion an up-to-date vision， put in place effective mechanisms and move toward concrete actions.