Chinese leader Xi Jinping set the tone for a virtual summit with leaders of major emerging economies in a timely speech, denouncing sanctions as “weapons” of the global economy and urging unity in the face of financial challenges.
Xi (pictured), who spoke at a business forum ahead of Thursday’s virtual summit with leaders of the BRICS economic bloc in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, portrayed the world at one point critical as he struggled to recover from the pandemic amid what he called new “security challenges.”
“The tragedies of the past tell us that hegemony, group politics and the confrontation of blocs do not bring peace or security; they only lead to wars and conflicts,” he said via videolink.
“Ukraine’s crisis is another wake-up call for all in the world. of the others will only fall into a security dilemma, “Xi said.
The comments appeared to be a veiled reference to the United States and NATO, whom Beijing has repeatedly accused of provoking Russia’s aggression on Ukraine.
He also pointed to Western sanctions, saying that these sanctions were a “double-edged sword” that armed the global economy and would “harm the people of the world.”
Instead, countries should “embrace solidarity and coordination,” he said, while promoting China’s new development and security initiatives as plans.