Cracks Emerge: China's Dominance in BRICS Alliance Sparks Concerns
The BRICS bloc, now expanded to nine countries, aims to redefine global engagement. As China spearheads this initiative, subtle fractures are appearing within the alliance. A growing chorus of developing nations have voiced their concerns about China's influence.
BRICS has emerged as a significant international force. What began as a five-member group, encompassing Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, sought to challenge the existing global order. The summit was the largest the BRICS have ever held, with more than 60 countries attending alongside member nations. The main reason for expansion was to make BRICS more representative of the developing world and give it a stronger voice on the world stage.
China's expanded partnership with the leading nations of the BRICS plays an important role in counterbalancing Western dominance by supporting investment and fostering economic cooperation. For China, the decision to expand the Brics bloc of developing economies by adding six new countries is all about trying to right the perceived wrongs of a US-led system.
However, the group’s diversity also poses significant challenges to its rise as an alternative to the US-led global order. While China has been the leading proponent of expanding BRICS, other members may feel apprehensive about China’s growing influence.
As China seeks to expand its influence through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, tensions within the BRICS alliance could escalate. It is unlikely that BRICS will evolve into a unified military power; however, the economic and political dynamics at play warrant close observation as potential cracks emerge in the face of China's growing dominance.