China for BRICS expansion as BD shows interest

China on Tuesday announced its openness to new members joining the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) alliance for its expansion.
"China is committed to advancing the BRICS expansion and stands ready to bring more like-minded partners into the big family of BRICS," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing while replying to a query about Bangladesh's application to join BRICS.
She added that the expansion of BRICS represents a political consensus among all five member nations.
Ms Ning said, "As an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, BRICS is committed to upholding multilateralism, vigorously advancing the reform of the global governance system and increasing the representation and say of emerging markets and developing countries."
Formally established in 2009, the BRICS nations aimed to establish economic and political equilibrium among powerful global nations.
Besides, the BRICS nations have established the New Development Bank (NDB) as a multilateral lender to enhance economic cooperation among member states.
Bangladesh has already joined the NDB as a shareholder of this multilateral donor. In the meantime, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said on Monday in Dhaka that Bangladesh would gladly accept a formal invitation to join the BRICS group of five member states.
"We will surely join once they invite us. We are yet to receive any formal letter (inviting us to join). BRICS leaders are considering including some emerging economies - around eight new countries, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Bangladesh," he said during a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Earlier, Bangladesh had formally requested to join the BRICS alliance, comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen confirmed that a formal letter expressing interest had been sent to the current chair of BRICS, South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor.
During a meeting in Geneva, Minister Momen hinted at Bangladesh's anticipated membership in BRICS, stating that it is likely to be finalised in August of this year.
The leaders of BRICS are expected to gather for the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa, scheduled to take place from August 22 to August 24. The Summit will be hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

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