China’s Xi criticizes sanctions at meeting of BRICS nations

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping has opened a meeting of leaders of major developing countries by saying the world should oppose unilateral sanctions and efforts by some countries to maintain their political and military power. Xi’s remarks at the virtual meeting of the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, known collectively as “BRICS,” reflect China’s tacit backing of Russia in the war in Ukraine and its desire to form an international alliance opposed to the U.S.-led liberal democratic order. The BRICS meeting comes amid rising concerns over the global economic outlook and a growing political divide between China and India. While no agenda has been issued for the two-day talks, Ukraine is likely to feature heavily in the background.