As the present global economy paints a grim outlook, President Xi Jinping affirms a positive stance for the future development of BRICS--Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa--and called on to his counterparts to fortify their mutual cooperation.
Xi said that each nation member should “jointly seek ways to respond to challenges,” reported Xinhua.
In dealing with global concerns such as terrorism, health issues and environmental problems affecting all five member countries of BRICS, Xi advised his fellow leaders to reinforce coordination.
He stressed that BRICS nations should cooperatively brave the challenges brought upon by the dismal world economy, which, according to him, is undergoing “a treacherous recovery,” quoted South China Morning Post.
Though Xi acknowledged that the economic growth of BRICS nations “somewhat slowed down,” according to SCMP, the president’s confidence towards development endured.
He said: “The potential and strength of BRICS countries in terms of resources, market and labor forces have remained unchanged.”
Xi also pointed out that the establishment of the New Development Bank was one outcome of the cooperation of the member countries of BRICS, reported CCTV Africa.
“We BRICS countries are good friends, good brothers and good partners that treat each other with sincerity,” said Xi.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed Xi’s call for greater and stronger cooperation and recognized its importance.
During one of his speeches, Modi reminded his fellow BRICS nation leaders--President Xi, Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin and South African President Jacob Zuma--about their 10 years of partnership.
Such partnership, according to Modi, “produced strong benefits of cooperation,” reported Times Now, India’s English news channel.
To assert the success of their decade-long support for each other, Modi said, “We are entitled to take pride in our . . . achievements.”
British economist Jim O’Neill--he coined the term “BRIC” in 2001--said that BRICS become “bigger . . . primarily because of China,” reported BBC.
The theme “Building Responsive, Inclusive & Collective Solutions” guided this year’s summit hosted by India.