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Brics

Brics
Brics (an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) refers to an association of 10 leading emerging markets. The other member states are Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
Representatives of Brics members, partner countries and guests pose for a group photo at the summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
Diplomacy

The Brics paradox: expanding influence, patchwork progress

It has condemned tariffs and military strikes on Iran, but analysts say Brics’ true test is in moving beyond rhetoric to deliver results.

Middle East

Opinion | Iran’s eastward pivot: why China is now Tehran’s strategic default

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Indonesia

‘Very optimistic’: Indonesia vows to press on with US talks despite 32% tariff

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US-ally trade wars

In show of unity against Trump, Brazil and India vow to triple trade flows

Lula and Modi sign several agreements and announce plans to step up Indian engagement with South American trade bloc Mercosur.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during a ceremonial welcome for Modi at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia on Tuesday. Photo: dpa
Diplomacy

Opinion | Hong Kong has new path to prominence as a hub for public goods

The centre of gravity for global development and cooperation is shifting east, putting Hong Kong in a good position to harness the momentum.

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Asean

Opinion | Through Brics, Indonesia offers its vision of inclusivity to the world

Indonesia’s bridge-building approach shows power lies not only in weapons or markets, but also in fostering understanding and collaboration.

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Diplomacy

‘We don’t want an emperor’: Brazil’s Lula speaks up as Brics silent on tariffs

Brazilian leader doesn’t think ‘it’s very responsible and serious for a president … of the US to threaten the world over the internet’.

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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the end of the Brics summit. Photo: Agencia Brazil/dpa
Brazil

Brics draws Trump anger, few leaders

The Brics summit sparked a threat of extra tariffs from US President Donald Trump, even without the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders.

China-Middle East relations

Video | Brics leaders condemn strikes on Iran and tariffs

Li Qiang

Trump vows tariff boost for ‘anti-American’ policies as China calls for Brics action

Trade restrictions may worsen ‘economic disparities’ and affect ‘prospects for global economic development’: Brics declaration.

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China’s Premier Li Qiang attends the first plenary session of the Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6. Bloc leaders voiced concerns over the growing use of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures. Photo: AFP
AI: Policy

Brics in push for UN to take lead on setting rules for artificial intelligence

Leaders say AI is a ‘unique opportunity’ for driving inclusive growth, innovation and sustainability but warn there must be fair governance.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during the Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. Leaders of the bloc said that without fair governance, AI could widen the digital gap. Photo: AFP
China-Middle East relations

Brics leaders condemn strikes on Iran and tariffs, but avoid direct mention of US, Israel

Brics nations meeting in Brazil take aim at ‘unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures’, urge end to ‘the cycle of violence’ in the Middle East.

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Asean

Brics leaders urge cohesion, trade and use of local currency to grow clout

At Brics business forum, Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim calls on emerging markets bloc to learn from Asean to challenge Western dominance.

Brazil

‘Brics bank’ blasts West ahead of leaders’ summit, China mute on tariffs

At New Development Bank meeting, Brazil’s Lula and NDB’s Rousseff slam US-led financial order, as China and India stress pragmatism.

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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and New Development Bank president Dilma Rousseff at the annual meeting of the Brics bank in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Friday. Photo: Handout
Global South

Can India block China’s leadership in Global South-based alliances like the SCO?

As Beijing promotes a multipolar world order based on empowered developing countries, New Delhi also views itself as a leader.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Mexico

Rio mounts major security operation for Brics summit

About 20,000 military personnel to guard leaders, fighter jets to patrol skies.

China Future Tech briefing

AI | Artificial intelligence oversight divides China, US policymakers

China is set to follow Europe in passing an artificial intelligence law, while the Trump administration opposes federal legislation in the US.

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Diplomacy

Exclusive | Armenia looks to deepen ties with China for foreign policy beyond Russia

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan says his country’s Crossroads of Peace and China’s belt and road project are interdependent.

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Armenia’s top diplomat Ararat Mirzoyan says of relations with China: “Not only is there no impediment and any obstacle on the way of deepening our relations, but also there is openness and readiness to deepen these relations without any limitations.” Photo: Handout
Mainland China

Questions loom at Brics Rio summit about group’s effectiveness

Emerging economy leaders gather amid geopolitical tensions, frayed Washington alliances under Trump trade policy.

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Vladimir Putin

Putin to skip Brics summit in Brazil due to ICC arrest warrant

The Russian leader, who is accused of the war crime of deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine, will take part via video link instead.

Mainland China

Exclusive | In a first, Xi will miss Brics in Rio as Li leads China delegation: sources

Post learns mainland interlocutors cite his having met with Brazil’s leader twice in less than a year as a reason for absence.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, on June 17, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
Vietnam

Vietnam officially joins Brics as ‘partner country’, Brazil announces

Southeast Asian country’s ‘dynamic economy’ touted as the group of emerging economies widens its agenda urging a more inclusive global order.

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Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has forged closer ties with Brics, an association of leading emerging economies. Photo: AFP
China-Russia relations

Russia moves again to join with China and India despite their trust issues

Analysts say Trump’s tariffs and other policies could unite three countries but long-standing conflicts between them remain an obstacle.

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Asean

Opinion | Beyond trade, Asean-GCC-China summit heralds Asia’s cultural renaissance

The recent meeting in Kuala Lumpur transcended economics and geopolitics, representing a pivotal moment of inter-civilisational engagement.

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Climate change diplomacy

Brics approves climate finance framework, crafting joint stance for first time

The economic bloc forges shared priorities ahead of Cop30, the United Nations summit on climate change set for Brazil in November.

The Brics meeting on climate change and sustainable development in Brasilia. Photo: Handout
Diplomacy

Brazilian data partnership with China draws criticism from former officials

‘China is not a model for statistical openness,’ says Martha Mayer, ex-research director at Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics.

A databoard at the offices of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Handout
Malaysia

My Take | From Russia with love: Anwar’s geopolitical play leaves a confusing trail

Recent diplomatic overtures have raised concern that Anwar is leaning too close to Russia and China in his bid to diversify Malaysia’s trade ties.

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China's military weapons

Will Brazil leader’s Beijing trip herald greater Chinese defence role in region?

Lula’s recent visit included a meeting with defence giant Norinco, which is reportedly seeking a major stake in aerospace firm Avibras.

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