Wang Yi: China ready to work with BRICS members to tackle pressing global challenges

Faced with profound and complex shifts in the international landscape, China stands ready to work with other BRICS members to jointly tackle the pressing challenges confronting humanity and stay firmly on the right course of world historical development, the country's top diplomat Wang Yi said.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks when attending the 16th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisors and High Representatives on National Security, where attendees had in-depth exchanges of views on addressing non-traditional security challenges, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity and other issues.

Noting that BRICS cooperation over the past 20 years has turned the grouping into a key pillar for global peace, development and justice, Wang called on BRICS to uphold the international order, promote multilateralism and unequivocally reject unilateralism and protectionism.

Positioned at the forefront of the Global South, BRICS members need to take the lead in speaking up for justice and delivering fair outcomes, and elevate their standing and role in international affairs, Wang added.

To break the security deadlock through consensus, efforts should be made to advocate the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, firmly advance political settlements to hotspot issues, and actively explore effective ways to resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation, Wang said.

Wang urged BRICS to address global challenges, including resolutely combating all forms of terrorism, clearly opposing the militarization of outer space, effectively tackling global energy and food security risks, strengthening cooperation on strategic mineral resources, and jointly responding to the Ebola outbreak in Africa.

BRICS wisdom should be pooled to improve governance in emerging sectors, Wang said, urging vigilance against risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI), guidance of AI development in a sound direction, and support for the United Nations as the primary channel for advancing global cyberspace and digital governance.

Noting that the BRICS mechanism draws its vitality from equality and mutual benefit, and its strength from solidarity and mutual assistance, Wang said China, which will assume the rotating BRICS chairmanship next year, stands ready to work alongside BRICS partners to open up a future of peace and prosperity for all.

The participating sides spoke highly of the unique role and remarkable achievements of the BRICS cooperation mechanism, vowing to defend the shared interests of the Global South, and work together to build a multipolar world featuring peace, security, fairness, justice, prosperity and development.