China reaffirmed its support for the new members of the BRICS group of emerging economies on November 20, Reuters reported, even as Argentine officials announced that the South American country would not join the bloc.
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| BRICS decided to invite 6 countries to become new members of the group at the 2023 Summit in South Africa. (Source: Council on Foreign Relations) |
Argentina was among six countries (along with Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Ethiopia) invited to become new members of BRICS at the Summit in South Africa in August 2023.
However, Russia's RIA news agency quoted Diana Mondino - an economist expected to become foreign minister in the government of President-elect Javier Milei of Argentina - as saying that Buenos Aires will not join the BRICS group.
Speaking at a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning confirmed that he was unaware of Ms. Mondino's statement.
Ms. Mao Ning emphasized that the BRICS cooperation mechanism is an important platform for emerging and developing markets to strengthen solidarity, cooperation and maintain common interests. BRICS is also an open platform and welcomes any country that wants to become a member.
Earlier, on November 19, Mr. Javier Milei, a right-wing liberal politician with anti-BRICS views, was elected as the new President of Argentina. Both Mr. Milei and Ms. Mondino oppose Argentina joining BRICS.
The group was founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa joined in 2010.
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