On October 22, President Xi Jinping arrived in Kazan, Russia, aboard a special aircraft to attend the 16th BRICS Leaders’ Meeting. This marks President Xi’s first visit abroad following the 20th Central Committee’s third plenary session of the Communist Party of China. On his first day in Kazan, the President participated in several bilateral and multilateral activities, including a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussions with Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.

The BRICS cooperation began in 2006 during a foreign ministers’ meeting at the United Nations, with the first leaders’ summit held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in June 2009. This year’s meeting in Kazan is the third hosted by Russia, following the seventh summit in Ufa in July 2015. Over the past 18 years, BRICS has evolved into a critical platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries. Last August, during the Johannesburg summit, Xi Jinping highlighted that BRICS cooperation is at a pivotal point, bridging the past and future.

This meeting occurs in a significant year for BRICS, as it marks the beginning of a new era following its historic expansion. The “BRICS+” concept, proposed by President Xi in 2017, aims to include more emerging markets and developing countries in the global dialogue. At the Johannesburg summit, he denoted that this initiative is not about choosing sides or establishing camps, but rather about creating a framework for peaceful development.

During this visit, Xi’s first to Kazan, he reflects on the city’s rich history and cultural heritage, being the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan and a historical crossroads for trade and cultural exchange. Celebrating its 1,000th anniversary in 2005, the Kazan Kremlin is a UNESCO World Heritage site like its counterpart in Moscow. Historically, Kazan has been a melting pot of East-West interactions, with notable figures such as Tolstoy and Pushkin having visited.

On the afternoon of October 22, President Xi met with President Putin at the Kazan Kremlin, marking their third face-to-face meeting this year. Both leaders highlighted key commemorative events: the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Russia and the upcoming 80th anniversaries of the founding of the United Nations and victory in World War II. They emphasized the importance of strengthening their strategic cooperation and maintaining global stability.

As preparations for the BRICS summit continue, President Xi expressed appreciation for Russia’s leadership in the organization. Both leaders are committed to discussing future developments in BRICS cooperation and sending a positive message of unity and collaboration to the global South.

On the first day of his visit, after meeting with President Putin, Xi also met with Thongloun Sisoulith of Laos, welcoming their active participation in BRICS. The leaders recalled their previous meeting in Beijing, reaffirming their solid partnership.

During the Kazan summit, President Xi is set to participate in various meetings and deliver important addresses on pressing global issues, BRICS cooperation, and other matters of mutual concern. As he aptly stated, “Regardless of the obstacles, the BRICS nations will continue to thrive as a positive and stable force.” This meeting in Kazan is poised to be a new starting point for BRICS cooperation, aiming to usher in a new era of solidarity for the global South.