Building a Bloc from BRICS: Assessing China's Strategic Interests and Influence

This research paper analyzes China's role as the dominant economy within the expanded BRICS bloc, arguing that China uses the alliance to reshape global power dynamics and counter Western influence. While the bloc has achieved significant milestones through the New Development Bank and advocacy for climate justice and 'de-dollarization', it faces internal instability. Key challenges include the territorial and geopolitical rivalry between China and India, as well as the regional friction between new members Saudi Arabia and Iran.

• China views the expansion of BRICS as a strategic tool to increase its global influence and reshape international power dynamics in its favor, utilizing the bloc as a platform to counter Western dominance and promote its vision of a multipolar world.
• The New Development Bank (NDB), established in 2014 as an alternative to Western-dominated Bretton Woods institutions, had a total investment portfolio of USD 30.2 billion by 2022, funding 85 ventures in sectors including renewable energy, transportation, and digital technology.
• BRICS members, led by China and Russia, are actively working to reduce global reliance on the US dollar to weaken US financial hegemony, with China promoting the yuan and Russia utilizing rubles or other local currencies.
• The bloc advocates for climate justice and financial support for developing nations, specifically pushing for a loss and damage fund at COP27 in 2022 to compensate poorer countries for climate-related destruction, challenging the Western focus on immediate emission reductions.
• The expansion of BRICS to include Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates has increased the bloc's global footprint, now representing 45% of the world's population, 28% of global GDP, 25% of global trade, 40% of global oil production, and 25% of the world's landmass.
• Significant geopolitical tensions exist between China and India within the bloc, driven by border conflicts such as the Doklam standoff and clashes in the Galwan Valley, as well as India's suspicion of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• The inclusion of Saudi Arabia and Iran introduces potential instability to the bloc due to their longstanding regional rivalry and conflicting alliances, which may impact decision-making and energy security in the Persian Gulf.

APA

Sarpong, E. F., & Sibiri, H. (2024). Building a Bloc from BRICS: Assessing China's Strategic Interests and Influence. Africa Policy Research Institute. https://afripoli.org/building-a-bloc-from-brics-assessing-chinas-strategic-interests-and-influence

Chicago

Sarpong, Emmanuel Frimpong, and Hagan Sibiri. Building a Bloc from BRICS: Assessing China's Strategic Interests and Influence. Africa Policy Research Institute, 2024. https://afripoli.org/building-a-bloc-from-brics-assessing-chinas-strategic-interests-and-influence.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sarpong |first1=Emmanuel Frimpong |last2=Sibiri |first2=Hagan |title=Building a Bloc from BRICS: Assessing China's Strategic Interests and Influence |publisher=Africa Policy Research Institute |date=19 December 2024 |url=https://afripoli.org/building-a-bloc-from-brics-assessing-chinas-strategic-interests-and-influence |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sarpong2024building, author = {Sarpong, Emmanuel Frimpong and Sibiri, Hagan}, title = {{Building a Bloc from BRICS: Assessing China's Strategic Interests and Influence}}, institution = {Africa Policy Research Institute}, year = {2024}, month = dec, url = {https://afripoli.org/building-a-bloc-from-brics-assessing-chinas-strategic-interests-and-influence}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }