People News – On the morning of October 23, Xi Jinping left Beijing and was eager to meet his close friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the Kazan Kremlin in the afternoon. Putin had been sending messages through Chinese officials like Li Qiang and Han Zheng, expressing his eagerness to meet Xi. When they finally shook hands, the CCP’s media outlets highlighted that this was the third meeting between the two leaders this year. They reportedly exchanged views on major international and regional issues of common concern, but no specifics were provided by the CCP’s state media.

Superficial Unity Between China and Russia

The war between Russia and Ukraine remains in a stalemate. Voice of America published an article yesterday, stating that China (the PRC) has provided Russia with dual-use technology and industrial products, including machine tools, semiconductors, and drone engines, which have strengthened Russia’s military-industrial base. The U.S. claims that China's assistance has extended beyond dual-use technology, and Russia is reciprocating with advanced technology for China. Not only has China helped Russia mitigate the effects of Western sanctions following the Ukraine war, but it has also played a crucial role in supporting the survival of regimes in Iran and North Korea. The article quoted U.S. Congressman Rob Wittman, who said in an online discussion at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) that the world today is at a similar crossroads as it was in 1938 and 1939, witnessing the rise of an "Axis of Evil."

Nate Sibley, director of anti-corruption initiatives at the Hudson Institute in Washington, told the media that hosting the BRICS summit is a major public relations boost for Putin. He seeks to showcase Russia’s wartime economy and prove that U.S. economic sanctions are not catastrophic. For Xi Jinping, his goal is to alleviate concerns about China’s economic situation, especially among BRICS members burdened with significant debt owed to Beijing.

Superficial Friendliness Driven by Interests

It is worth noting that when Xi Jinping arrived at Kazan International Airport by special plane, he was warmly greeted by Rustam Minnikhanov, the head of the Republic of Tatarstan, Prime Minister Pesoshin, Kazan’s mayor Metshin, and senior officials from the Russian Foreign Ministry. A guard of honor lined up along the red carpet, and Russian women dressed in traditional attire welcomed him with customary rituals. This was the most ceremonious reception, in stark contrast to the treatment Li Qiang received during his visit to South Asia and West Asia a week earlier, where he arrived by charter plane and was greeted only by ministerial-level officials. Clearly, ‘the supreme leader’ is treated with more dignity in northern countries than Li Qiang.

Similarly, when Li Qiang attended the 'East Asia Cooperation Leaders' Meetings' and the 'Shanghai Cooperation Organization Heads of Government Meetings' from September 9 to 17 in Laos, Vietnam, and Pakistan, he also traveled by charter plane, which is of much lower standard. In some instances, even local police stopped his plane to check documents. Previous premiers, including Li Keqiang and Wen Jiabao, always traveled on state aircraft. Since Li Qiang took office, charter flights have become his standard mode of travel. Even more humiliating is the fact that when he arrived in and left various countries, he was only greeted and seen off by ministerial-level officials, without any flowers or performances. For example, in Vientiane, he was met by the Minister of Planning and Investment, and was also seen off by the same official. In Vietnam, he was received by Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, and in Pakistan, he was seen off by the Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal. The 'humble' treatment made it seem as though he was being received as a provincial-level official of the CCP, rather than as the Chinese Premier.

Why is this the case? Some of this treatment may have been requested by Li Qiang himself, such as using charter flights. This might be his way of emphasizing the supreme leader's (Xi’s) status. By identifying himself as the 'servant' of the CCP and framing the State Council under the Party’s control, Li gives the impression that he sees himself more as a chief administrative officer for Xi, rather than an independent leader. This could lead foreign dignitaries to conclude that real decision-making power lies with Xi, the supreme leader.

When Xi travels abroad, it’s naturally as the top leader, carrying with him contracts, agreements, and financial packages that are incomparable to what Li Qiang brings. Xi can make important decisions on the spot. Initiatives like the Belt and Road or the Community of Common Destiny mean that compliant nations can immediately receive benefits. Moreover, as one of the founding leaders of the BRICS organization, Xi arrived in Kazan with plenty to offer, and those benefiting from his visit are sure to notice and appreciate this. How could they not greet him with extraordinary warmth and enthusiasm?"

BRICS Unlikely to Rival the West

The BRICS summit has been viewed by some analysts as a counterbalance to Western alliances like the G7, with a key goal of advancing de-dollarization. However, experts argue that the BRICS countries' political systems and economic situations are vastly different, with each member pursuing its own interests, making it difficult to achieve any meaningful consensus. Internal divisions are significant, with China and India competing for leadership of the "Global South." This rivalry, along with divergent stances on key international issues—especially relations with the U.S. and the Russia-Ukraine war—makes strategic unity within BRICS highly unlikely.

While BRICS members may continue to promote the use of national currencies in trade, it is improbable that the Chinese yuan will replace the U.S. dollar as the dominant currency.

Stewart Patrick, director of global order and institutions at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the media that the goals China and Russia aim to achieve at the BRICS summit are mostly symbolic. Putin seeks to show that Russia is not isolated internationally, while Xi wants to portray that Western countries have been replaced by non-Western nations, with China playing a central role in this trend. However, no matter how united BRICS may appear on the surface, the likelihood of it evolving into a coalition capable of challenging Western alliances remains low. As BRICS expands, internal divisions will only deepen, making it even harder to reach strategic consensus and become a genuine anti-Western bloc.