The five BRICS countries should strengthen unity and cooperation to uphold multilateralism and promote the development of the international order in a more just and rational direction, said Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Speaking at the 9th Meeting of the BRICS High Representatives for Security Issues held in Brasilia from Thursday to Friday, Yang said that as the world undergoes profound changes unseen in a century, BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) should strengthen unity and cooperation to deal with such changes. 

The BRICS should fully implement the consensuses reached by leaders of the five countries in previous BRICS leaders' meetings and consolidate cooperation in political security, economy, trade and finance, and people-to-people exchanges, said Yang, who is also director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee. 

BRICS countries should support each other, strengthen the ability to withstand risks and cope with complex situations, and jointly oppose external intervention, Yang said. 

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa should adhere to the concept of open and inclusive cooperation, promote the "BRICS Plus" cooperation model, and create an open and diverse network of partnerships, he said. 

Yang added that the BRICS should uphold multilateralism, defend the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and promote the development of international order in a more just and rational direction. 

For his part, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, during his meetings with the delegation leaders from the BRICS, conveyed his cordial greetings to the leaders of BRICS countries and said he is looking forward to the leaders' meeting which will be held soon in Brasilia. 

Bolsonaro said that the participating representatives in the two-day meeting had high-quality discussions, which showed the high-level cooperation among BRICS countries. 

He said he will soon visit some Asian countries including China, and is looking forward to pushing for new developments in bilateral relations through the visit. 

During the two-day meeting, participants exchanged in-depth views on counter-terrorism, cyber-security, and regional and international hotspot issues, and reached broad consensus. 

All participants agreed to strengthen unity and cooperation, help work towards fruitful results of the upcoming BRICS leaders' meeting in November, jointly defend multilateralism, and make greater contributions to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. 

During the two-day meeting, Yang also held bilateral talks with delegation leaders from other BRICS countries. 

China, Brazil vow to advance bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership 

Yang on Friday met with Augusto Heleno, Brazil's Minister of Institutional Security in Brasilia. 

Yang said China always views and develops relations with Brazil from a strategic and long-term perspective. 

The pragmatic cooperation in various fields has been fruitful and has become a model for the cooperation and joint development between major developing countries, he added. 

Yang said China is willing to promote the integration of China's Belt and Road Initiative with Brazil's development plan, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, regional interactions and communication as well as coordination on international and regional issues to better benefit the two countries and peoples. 

Yang said that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will soon pay a state visit to China for the first time at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping and that the leaders of the BRICS countries will meet next month in Brasilia. 

China will fully support Brazil in holding the summit, said Yang, adding that China believes the two sides will work together to ensure the success of the meeting of the two heads of state, jointly drawing the blueprint of future bilateral relations and upgrading the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. 

For his part, Heleno said the participants of the ninth meeting of BRICS High Representatives for Security Issues have reached a broad consensus, which strengthened unity and cooperation among the BRICS countries. 

Brazil attaches great importance to its relations with China, and President Bolsonaro will pay his first state visit to China in a few days and the Brazilian side is eagerly expecting President Xi to come to Brazil next month to attend the BRICS leaders' meeting, said Heleno. 

The Brazilian side appreciates China's resolute fight against terrorism and will continue to firmly support China's position on issues related to Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang, he added. 

The Brazilian side is willing to strengthen pragmatic cooperation with China in the fields of trade, infrastructure, agriculture, science and technology, and to consolidate and develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between Brazil and China, said Heleno. 

(Cover: File photo of Yang Jiechi)