BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua News Agency) — Russia officially assumed the rotating presidency of the BRICS nations on January 1, 2020. At a regular press briefing on January 3, Geng Shuang, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that China looks forward to new progress and achievements in BRICS cooperation during the 'Year of Russia'.
A journalist asked: According to reports, Russia has put forward certain proposals regarding future BRICS cooperation. What are China’s expectations regarding Russia assuming the BRICS rotating presidency and this year’s BRICS cooperation?
Geng Shuang replied that the BRICS countries constitute a cooperative mechanism among emerging market and developing countries with global influence. In recent years, cohesion among BRICS nations has grown steadily, practical cooperation has deepened continuously, and their international influence has risen consistently—making them an increasingly important force in international affairs.
"The current international situation is highly complex and volatile, with unilateralism and protectionism surging, and power politics and bullying behavior running rampant. How the BRICS countries respond to global transformations and play a constructive role in international affairs has drawn close attention from the international community," Geng Shuang said.
He noted that Russia serves as the BRICS chair this year and plans to host the 12th BRICS Summit in St. Petersburg in July. Under the strategic guidance of the heads of state of both countries, China-Russia relations have entered a new era characterized by mutual support, deep integration, pioneering innovation, and inclusive win-win outcomes. China will fully support Russia’s work as BRICS chair and maintain close coordination with Russia and other BRICS members to ensure the full success of the St. Petersburg Summit.
Geng Shuang pointed out that China expects new progress and achievements in BRICS cooperation during the 'Year of Russia', aims to consolidate the BRICS strategic partnership, deepen cooperation across three pillars—economic and trade/finance, political security, and people-to-people exchanges—and expand 'BRICS Plus' cooperation. China also expects the BRICS countries to play a greater role in jointly safeguarding world peace and development, upholding international fairness and justice, and adhering to multilateralism and the multilateral trading system—thereby making greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Last updated: 2026-03-08