Shared Prosperity: 5 BRICS countries reaffirm support for WTO trade rules

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01:56

We start in Johannesburg, the site of this year's BRICS Summit that brings together leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. They're holding talks with leaders of African nations, in the spirit of expanding the scope of cooperation. Wang Yuan has more.

Leaders of BRICS countries have held talks with counterparts from African nations and those of BRICS Plus, on an initiative put forward by China last year to build a wider partnership. During the talks, Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the importance of unity among emerging economies.

XI JINPING CHINESE PRESIDENT "At China's initiative, the leaders of the BRICS countries have decided to establish a new partnership for industrial revolution. This partnership is for BRICS countries and also for other emerging economies and developing countries. We should seize the opportunity for development and fully release the benefits of complementary advantages and synergy."

President Xi asked fellow member countries to work together to foster a favorable external trade environment, while protecting financial stability and intellectual property rights. Other heads of state attending the meeting also defended free trade and the multilateral trading system.

Meanwhile, leaders of African nations are calling for more cooperation with BRICS countries on infrastructure. These include the leaders of Rwanda and Uganda, who said BRICS Plus countries look forward to more infrastructure investment. Wang Yuan, CGTN.