China has supported Malaysia’s application to join Brics, saying it would welcome “like-minded partners” to the bloc.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Sunday that he had sent a letter of application to Russia, the current chair of the group of emerging economies.
“We welcome more like-minded partners joining [Brics] and working together to make the international order more just and equitable,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday.
“The development and expansion of the Brics mechanism reflects the trend of the times, serves the interests of relevant countries, and provides a strong driving force for multipolarity in the world and greater democracy in international relations.
“That is exactly why more and more emerging markets and developing countries, such as Malaysia, show a keen interest in Brics and have expressed recognition for and hope to join the group.”
The organisation was founded by Russia, China, India and Brazil 15 years ago. It has since welcomed several emerging economies, including South Africa in 2010 and more recently Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates.
It now has 10 members and some 30 other counties, including Thailand – a US treaty ally – have expressed interest in joining.
Xu Qinduo, a senior fellow at the Chinese think tank Pangoal Institution, said Malaysia and Thailand were unlikely to join in the immediate future, pointing to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s comments that the bloc had decided to “take a pause” on admitting new members.
However, Xu also said that Malaysia joining can “only be a plus”.
“China supports Malaysia’s application as it sees the group’s expansion as being in line with a multipolar system. As a founding member of Brics, China plays a key role in [progressing] Malaysia’s prospective membership, [a role] that is as important as Russia’s – if not more important, given the size of its economy,” Xu added.
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“Economically, Brics membership means better business opportunities and market access for Malaysia. Politically, Brics members share Malaysia’s concerns about the West, in particular the continued US support for Israel in its ongoing attacks on Palestinians.”
Koh King Kee, president of the Centre for New Inclusive Asia, a Kuala Lumpur-based think tank, said Malaysian membership could prompt interest among other Southeast Asian countries wanting to establish a collective position on the world stage.
“Many global institutions have not been effective in addressing the issues of regional conflicts, trade restrictions and climate change,” Koh said.
“Brics provides Malaysia with an alternative platform to voice its views on global issues, particularly the views of the Muslim world, given [Anwar’s] standing in Muslim countries.”
Koh added that Malaysian membership of the bloc would be in line with China’s policy of “neighbourhood diplomacy”, which focuses on seeking common ground with other countries and putting their differences aside.
“Brics membership will enable Kuala Lumpur to collaborate and cooperate more closely with Beijing on global issues of common interest, such as the conflict in Gaza and low carbon development,” Koh added.
