Tensions between India and China have noticeably eased since the Galwan clash, with cross-border services slowly resuming after a complete halt. In a positive signal, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong shared updates on social media platform X, highlighting renewed cooperation.
On February 9, China’s BRICS Sherpa and Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu attended the first BRICS Sherpa meeting in New Delhi. Ambassador Xu quoted Ma stating that President Xi Jinping has outlined a vital concept for high-quality BRICS cooperation. This includes commitments to peace, innovation, green development, justice, and closer people-to-people exchanges, forming a five-point layout that charts the future path for the BRICS mechanism.
The ambassador emphasized China’s readiness this year, as BRICS chair, to collaborate with India and other members, along with partner countries. Key focuses include following the correct path for BRICS cooperation, deepening practical collaboration, improving working methods, strengthening multilateral ties, upholding international fairness and justice, and advancing BRICS development further.
Participants at the meeting exchanged views on BRICS cooperation priorities and major events for the year, kicking off preparations for the 18th BRICS Summit. This gathering underscores a shared commitment to multilateralism amid global challenges.
Meanwhile, from February 7 to 9, a Chinese trade delegation led by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) hosted the first meeting of the 2026 APEC Business Advisory Council in Jakarta, Indonesia. This marked the inaugural major business event of APEC’s ‘China Year.’
Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto praised the business community’s vital role in promoting Asia-Pacific regional cooperation. He expressed hopes for full success of APEC’s ‘China Year’ and anticipated participation from all sides in the 2026 APEC Summit in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, southern China. Together, they aim to inject strong momentum into regional shared prosperity by joining hands.