The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) mechanism came into being at a time when the world order was experiencing profound adjustments and changes. When former Chief Economist of Goldman Sachs Jim O'Neill initiated the acronym of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) in 2001, it was only a commercial concept classifying the most potential and attractive emerging markets for multinationals. South Africa became a member in 2010, one year after the first BRIC Summit was held in Russia.
With the rapid rise of overall strength of developing countries and the increase of South-South cooperation, BRICS has now developed into a new platform for emerging markets and developing countries to strengthen multilateral consultation and cooperation.
After South Africa joined the mechanism, the grouping has had increasing engagement with African countries.
In this episode of ChinAfrica 360, which forms part of our magazine's multimedia approach to giving our audience insight into important events and current affairs, we look at how BRICS increases its cooperation with African countries and what role South Africa is playing in connecting BRICS mechanism with African countries.
(Comments to niyanshuo@chinafrica.cn)
