Xiamen Declaration strengthens cooperation and solidarity

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The emerging-market bloc of BRICS, which groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa together, issued a joint Xiamen Declaration after a leaders' plenary session on Monday, pledging to more cooperation and solidarity in the second decade of the BRICS group.

The leaders of the five BRICS nations – Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Jacob Zuma – all attended the session.

‘Engines of global growth’

The Xiamen Declaration reviewed the achievements made over the past ten years, especially the establishing of the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), as well as in economic partnership, political and security cooperation overall.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (C), Brazilian President Michel Temer (L1), Russian President Vladimir Putin (L2), South African President Jacob Zuma (R2) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R1) attend the 2017 BRICS summit in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, September 4, 2017. /Xinhua Photo‍

According to the declaration, BRICS countries pledged to play an important role as the engines of global growth, with more solid economic expansion, enhanced resilience and emerging new market drivers.

"We emphasize the importance of an open and inclusive world economy, enabling all countries and peoples to share in the benefits of globalization," BRICS leaders reaffirmed. They also remain committed to an accessible world economy and stand against protectionism.

"We will continue to firmly oppose protectionism. We recommit to our existing pledge for both a standstill and rollback of protectionist measures and we call upon other countries to join us in that commitment," it said.

Further enhance the voice of BRICS

Leaders vowed to further enhance the voice of BRICS in international fora, saying that BRICS countries resolve to foster a global economic governance architecture that is more effective and reflective of current global economic landscape.

This year's BRICS Summit also highlighted the expanding cooperation with other developing countries, as it seeks an expansion by introducing BRICS Plus.

A panel discussion on financial cooperation and development is held during the BRICS Business Forum in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, September 3, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

“We will pursue equal-footed and flexible practices and initiatives for dialogue and cooperation with non-BRICS countries, including through BRICS Plus cooperation.” The Xiamen Declaration emphasizes BRICS countries' aim to further strengthen cooperation.

"We recommit our strong support for multilateralism and the central role of the UN in international affairs," it said, adding that they commit to strengthening the coordination and cooperation among BRICS in the areas of mutual and common interests within the UN and other multilateral institutions, including through regular meetings among their permanent representatives in New York, Geneva and Vienna.

The scenery of Xiamen, a scenic city in southeast China's Fujian Province. The Ninth BRICS summit will be held in Xiamen from September 3 to 5, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

BRICS leaders strongly deplore the latest nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), emphasizing that ongoing tensions over the Korean Peninsula should only be “settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned.”

In regard to the world security issue, leaders of BRICS countries condemn terrorism in all forms and manifestations, stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

As people-to-people exchanges are important in promoting development and enhancing mutual understanding, BRICS countries agree “to strengthen the third pillar of BRICS cooperation and foster a meaningful resonance of the BRICS partnership amongst its peoples.”

South Africa is going to host the Tenth BRICS Summit in 2018. China, Brazil, Russia and India extend full support for next year’s event in the declaration.

The African Regional Centre of the New Development Bank (NDB) launched by the South African President Jacob Zuma on August 17, 2017 in Johannesburg, which is the largest city and economic center of South Africa with a population of around 4 million./Xinhua Photo

The Xiamen Declaration is a result of the ongoing Ninth BRICS Summit, which is being held from September 3 to 5 in the southern Chinese city of Xiamen under the theme of "BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future."

In addition to the Xiamen Declaration, the 2017 BRICS Summit is expected to result in the signing of cooperation agreements on customs matters and on issues of finance and infrastructure.

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