Is the China-Africa Forum setting a new course for the BRICS alliance?

Chethana Janith, Jadetimes Staff

C. Janith is a Jadetimes news reporter covering science and geopolitics.

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At the crossroads of power and cooperation, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is shaping up to be a defining event for the future of the BRICS Alliance. A historic gathering where the world’s emerging giants come together to redraw the contours of global geopolitics and forge a common destiny.

Image Source : (REUTERS/Florence Lo)

As we enter 2024, the world is at a critical juncture. Geopolitical balances are being reorganized, emerging powers are positioning themselves, and global challenges require innovative solutions. In this context, the 2024 edition of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation stands out as a crucial event, likely to redefine South-South cooperation and global geopolitics. For the BRICS Alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), this forum represents a strategic opportunity to consolidate its positions and define new directions. But what are the real stakes, and what are the expectations of these member countries? How could this forum transform the future of international cooperation and redefine global geopolitical dynamics? This article explores these questions and examines whether the 2024 edition of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will mark a crucial turning point for the BRICS Alliance.

The real stakes of the forum

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which took place from September 4 to 6, 2024, is a large-scale event addressing real and complex issues. Focusing on strengthening South-South cooperation, particularly between China and Africa as well as among the BRICS member countries, the forum is a platform to discuss new investment projects, economic cooperation and security, including in the fight against terrorism and piracy.

"The BRICS member countries have diverse but complementary expectations for FOCAC 2024, aimed at strengthening their economic, political and strategic relations with China and Africa, as well as among themselves"

In addition, it addresses global challenges such as climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, migration, as well as the reform of the international financial system and the establishment of alternative financial institutions. The program or agenda also includes discussions on technological cooperation covering artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and space. The forum was therefore a key moment for the BRICS Alliance and international cooperation, addressing global and structural issues far beyond the bilateral relations between China and Africa.

Expectations of BRICS Alliance member countries

The BRICS member countries have diverse but complementary expectations for FOCAC 2024, aimed at strengthening their economic, political and strategic relations with China and Africa, as well as among themselves. They aim to advance their common interests and assert their collective geopolitical influence. China aspires to consolidate its role as an economic and political leader in the region, while Africa aims to attract investment and develop its infrastructure. Brazil, Russia and India, for their part, seek to expand their markets and increase investment opportunities, while South Africa aims to strengthen its role as a regional leader. In addition, the BRICS members plan to use the forum to address global issues such as reforming the international financial system, combating terrorism and climate change, while promoting an alternative vision of the world order based on multipolarism and South-South cooperation.

The Future of International Cooperation and Global Geopolitics: The Role of FOCAC 2024

FOCAC 2024 is positioned to shape the future of international cooperation and global geopolitics by strengthening South-South partnerships and creating a more equitable world order that is representative of the interests of developing countries. By aligning the common interests of BRICS member countries, the forum promises to reduce the influence of Western powers and create a counterweight to US hegemony, thereby facilitating a significant redistribution of global power. In this context, FOCAC 2024 plays a crucial role in proposing innovative solutions to global challenges such as reforming the international financial system, combating terrorism and climate change, while promoting an alternative vision of the world order. By consolidating ties between China, Africa and other BRICS countries, the forum paves the way for new opportunities for investment, trade and economic cooperation, thereby redefining the contours of global geopolitics.

FOCAC 2024 marks a new milestone for the BRICS Alliance

The 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was a landmark event in the evolution of global geopolitics, bringing together the emerging powers of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) to redraw the contours of a more just and equitable world. Over three days, the leaders of these nations discussed reforms of the international financial system, the fight against terrorism, economic cooperation and energy security, as well as the challenges of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. They adopted a joint declaration setting out their priorities for the years to come and launched several initiatives for economic and political cooperation. In addition, the summit strengthened strategic partnerships between China and Africa, with a focus on economic development and cultural ties. The 2024 China-Africa Forum sent a strong message to the international community that the BRICS are ready to play a major role in global governance, demonstrating their ability to work together to defend their common interests and promote an alternative vision of the world order.

It can therefore be said that FOCAC is a giant step towards a multipolar world, where the BRICS stand as beacons of cooperation and resilience, lighting the way towards a more equitable and brighter future.

Belinda's Graceful Recovery After Runway Fall at L'Oreal Paris Show Goes Viral

Chethma De Mel, Jadetimes Staff

C. J. De Mel is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Entertainment News

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Image Source : Alex Cordova

Belinda, the Spanish-Mexican singer, was an accidental witness of the unexpected mishap during L'Oreal Paris's "Walk Your Worth" show at the main events held in the iconic Palais Garnier for Paris Fashion Week. Amidst the catwalk, surrounded by other highly positioned celebrities, Belinda tumbled over, falling to the floor, and managed to recover, showing poise in a manner that wowed onlookers.

At first, Belinda, in a bright red mini dress and high heels, went down the runway with confidence, then took a few steps, lost her balance, and fell. The Brazilian singer and songwriter Anitta, who just walked in front of her on the runway, immediately saw the incident and helped Belinda by adjusting her dress and stocking. Thanks to her, Belinda quickly took control and made the rest of her runway walk amidst loud applause and whistles from the audience.

Belinda herself took the moment in stride humorously; later, she posted a video of the fall on her Instagram with the caption: "It doesn't matter how many times you fall, what is important is how you get up. Thank you." She took it as far as making the incident meme-worthy by calling it "the most iconic moment of my life, although I never imagined it would be like this," she wrote, along with laughing emojis.

Image Source : AFP

Her fellow actress Andie MacDowell congratulated her when she posted this video on Caras Mexico: "You should be so proud. You represent how everyone feels when they fall and have to get up again. You did an amazing job. That's life, just get up again."

Social media users took to the incident and congratulated Belinda for her poise under pressure and Anitta for her quick action to respond. "Queens fix each other's crowns," one user commented, while others called Belinda a "badass" and praised her resiliency-a fan noted, "This is how princesses rise. What a star."

It is in this poise of recovery down the runway as a reminder of resilience added with humor that has made Belinda an even bigger inspiration to her fans.

NATO Declares War on Russia: Can It Win?

Chethana Janith, Jadetimes Staff

C. Janith is a Jadetimes news reporter covering science and geopolitics.

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Even though no NATO country has come under Russian attack, the former has still declared war on Russia.

Image Source : politexpert.net

When British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met US President Joe Biden in the White House on the 13th of September, what they discussed – and probably decided – was the use of long-range missiles to hit targets inside Russia. Although they officially said that no formal decision had been made, it is quite evident, at least to Russian authorities, that the decision has already been made and communicated to Ukraine. Long-range missiles, like all other weapon systems worth more than US$100 billion supplied thus far, are on their way and will be available for active deployment by the end of 2024. In fact, the UK has already supplied a long-range air-launched cruise missile, Storm Shadow, to Ukraine. If they are used, this will surely be the biggest military escalation in Europe since the end of the Second World War. Besides the fact that these missiles will intensify the war, the chances of whether NATO will be able to achieve its purposes remain grim for several reasons.

Protracted Conflict

Without going into the nitty-gritty of the actual missile systems to be supplied and the damage they could, or couldn’t cause, to Russia, there is little denying that the Western resort to attacks inside Russia indicates the failure of its military strategy thus far to militarily – and economically – defeat Russia. The question, however, is: can European countries afford a prolonged conflict?

Germany, which was until recently a major supplier of weapons to Ukraine, has already decided to halve its support. The decision has been taken regardless of the fact that the possible return of Donald Trump could itself see a drastic cut in US military aid to Ukraine. Such a scenario shows multiple situations underpinning Europe’s position in the conflict.

First, Germany does not care who ends up occupying the White House in November. Berlin does not simply want to fully empty its arsenal and spend more than it wants to on defence. Instead, Germany is now “hoping” that Ukraine will be able to fund itself via loans, i.e., financial instruments that Europe has supplied to Kyiv and that will bring increasing returns to Europe. In other words, Europe’s leading economy is now switching from security to profit modern vis-à-vis the military conflict.

Reports also indicate that Germany’s defence budget will also fall short of expected increments. As against the defence minister’s request for a 6.7 billion euro increase in defence spending, Germany is likely to add only 1.3 billion euros. Again, this is an indication of the overall economic situation of the country, which has been grappling with inflation for the past three years.

Germany’s partial withdrawal could catalyse a general, Europe-wide withdrawal from the so-called “war effort”, complicating Washington’s and London’s plans to drag the conflict. Its reason is the economy. The time-tested ‘saviour’ of the European economy, Mario Draghi, the former prime minister of Italy, believes that the European economy immediately needs a massive financial injection of US$883 billion annually to escape oblivion. In a 400-page-long report released on the 9th of September, Mario presented what can basically be called Europe’s “Whatever It Takes” moment. Will Europe be able to mobilize this much money and continue to fund the war on Russia simultaneously? This would require a miracle, which is not forthcoming. Therefore, full measures are hardly possible or even take place meaningfully.

Half Heartedness

Despite more than two and half years since the beginning of Russia’s Special Military Operations in Ukraine, NATO is still grappling with its spending problem. The June 2024 NATO report shows that 8 member states, including Italy and Canada, are still underspending. Now, besides the fact that it could become a major transatlantic issue if Donald Trump wins the election, it also shows that several NATO countries are not necessarily prioritising this issue in ways that Washington would want it to. Still, it also means that Washington will continue to be the major supplier of weapons systems to Ukraine. The question, however, is: how long can Washington continue to do this without risking loss of stockpiles elsewhere, including in the Pacific theatre?

Biden is unconcerned about such outcomes, primarily because he personally has nothing to lose in a political sense. Therefore, he might be willing to become a bit reckless. As far as Europe is concerned, it could end up bearing the brunt of Russian counterattacks. Russian officials have already begun to hint at possibilities of dramatic developments.

Russian Response

What will further complicate transatlantic calculations would be the nature of the Russian response to this escalation, i.e., long-range European missiles hitting targets inside Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has already that any use of western long-range missiles to strike Russia “will mean that NATO countries, the United States, and European countries are parties to the war in Ukraine. This will mean their direct involvement in the conflict, and it will clearly change the very essence, the very nature of the conflict dramatically”.

Other Russian officials have also warned of Russia’s right to use its nuclear arsenal in the wake of NATO’s direct attacks inside Russia. If push comes to shove, Europe will face the music first and foremost. There is, thus, some food for thought for countries in Europe still prioritising the conflict that only aims to expand NATO and push Russia into oblivion.