The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China's ambitious infrastructure project designed to boost trade, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this fall since President Xi Jinping announced it. As of December 2025, according to official Chinese announcements, a total of 150 countries (including China) have signed documents to join the BRI. But how does this relate to BRICS, and what impact does it have on global trade?
While the BRI and BRICS are not directly linked and not all BRICS participating countries have signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), their interactions are significant. The recent inclusion of six more countries from the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America in BRICS will boost the group's cooperation with other countries, potentially paving the way for increased BRI participation. By May 2025, the number of countries that have joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China and have not exited the BRI is substantial.
China's trade with BRI participating countries continues to grow. In the first 10 months of the year, trade climbed 6.2 percent compared with a year earlier. Major projects developed under the BRI include the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the China–Mongolia–Russia Economic Corridor, and others. So far, China has signed BRI cooperation agreements with numerous nations. Although 155 countries are frequently cited, it's essential to understand the difference between signed agreements and active participation.
This article will delve into the interaction of the BRI and BRICS, exploring the implications for global trade and development. Learn about the countries involved, the projects underway, and the future of this evolving landscape of international cooperation.