With Thailand and Malaysia's recent announcement that they have asked to join the BRICS group, and Brazil's interest in joining the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Global South community has sent a message of strengthening cooperation.

The three countries' aspirations show the increasing magnetism of the BRICS cooperation mechanism and the BRI, reflecting accelerated development of South-South cooperation.

Against the backdrop of the resurgence of global protectionism and unilateralism and the "decoupling and breaking of chains" by some Western countries, the Global South is increasingly becoming an important force in promoting open and cooperative development.

In January, with the addition of new members, the number of BRICS members rose to 10 countries, and the "waiting list" for applications to join continues to expand. After the expansion, the BRICS countries account for nearly half of the world's population and one-fifth of global trade, becoming an important force in promoting multipolarization.

The BRI grouping has also demonstrated strong cohesiveness and development prospects. Currently, more than 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations have joined it. The signed project agreements have driven investment of over one trillion USD, providing a practical platform for building a community with a shared future for all.

Whether it is BRICS cooperation or international cooperation under the BRI, they all show a development trend of "more and more people traveling together," behind which is the general awakening and joint self-reliance of the Global South.

The BRICS mechanism conforms to the trend of the times and is in line with the interests of all countries. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia is keen to join the grouping "as it seeks stronger ties with Global South economies across the world."

Thai government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke said joining the BRICS group will enhance Thailand's international status and increase its opportunities on the global stage.

The expanding of the BRI's "circle of friends" also reflects the broad consensus of developing countries to focus on development and deepen cooperation. China is an essential partner for Brazil's economic growth and scientific and technological development and a partner Brazil will always take into account, according to Brazilian President Lula da Silva. Lula has said he is willing to discuss the BRI with China. "I want to know where we come in and what position we are going to play," he said. "We want to be a starter."

The rise of developing countries is an inevitable trend. Their similar history, common development tasks, and similar perspectives on international affairs have prompted them to choose their development paths.

In recent years, globalization has encountered adverse currents. Some developed countries have weaponized economic issues, attached political terms to cooperation, and coerced others to choose sides. What's more, they have tried to suppress Global South countries' development in economy, trade, and science and technology, undermining the development environment of global openness and cooperation.

The BRICS cooperation mechanism, the BRI grouping and other bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanism innovations among the Global South are seen to be an antidote to this unfair, unequal, and unreasonable exchange model.

Over the past 20 years, the Global South has contributed as much as 80 percent of global economic growth, while its share of global GDP has jumped from 24 percent to more than 40 percent in the past four decades.

The Global South is increasingly becoming a key engine for a new form of globalization that is inclusive and universally beneficial. As the scope of cooperation in the Global South continues to expand and the scale continues to upgrade, South-South cooperation will play an important role in global development and responding to global challenges in the future.