BRICS and the new scramble for space
The article explores how BRICS nations, particularly China, are utilizing space technology as a tool for 'patron-client diplomacy' in the Global South. By funding satellite launches and infrastructure for countries like Ethiopia and Egypt, China is expanding its geopolitical influence under the guise of cooperation.
Why it matters
It highlights the intersection of space exploration and soft power, revealing how technological aid is used to secure strategic alliances.
A Long March-5 rocket carrying a new communication technology test satellite blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on 11 June 2026, Wenchang, China (Zhou Guoqiang/VCG via Getty Images)
Behind the rhetoric of Global South solidarity lies a familiar game of patron-client diplomacy.
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Topics Research Interactives The Interpreter Events People Support us Support us Vania Trixie Widodo 11 September 2026 4 min read | BRICS and the new scramble for space BRICS and the new scramble for space
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