Xi: BRICS leaders agree to enhance strategic trust

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Leaders of BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – agreed that it is in their common interest to deepen political and security cooperation and enhance mutual strategic trust, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a press briefing on Tuesday at the end of the ninth BRICS summit in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province.

Xi made the remarks as the five major emerging economies make efforts to synergize their development strategies in pursuit of win-win cooperation.

The leaders had in-depth exchange of views and reached important consensus on international and regional issues and global governance, according to the Chinese president.

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

New blueprint

Xi said he and the other four leaders – Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Jacob Zuma – believe that the world is undergoing profound and complex changes and global challenges continue to emerge despite improving economic outlook.

He called on BRICS countries to step up coordination and cooperation on important issues and work for a more just and equitable international order.

The summit adopted the BRICS Leaders' Xiamen Declaration, which reaffirmed the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, and mapped out a new blueprint for strengthening BRICS partnership and deepening practical cooperation in various areas, Xi said.

"Practical cooperation is the root of BRICS cooperation," he stressed.

The leaders call for expediting reform of global economic governance, and increasing the representation and voice of emerging market and developing countries, he said.

'BRICS Plus'

During the summit, China also held the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries, in which leaders of Egypt, Mexico, Thailand, Tajikistan and Guinea joined the BRICS leaders; all the leaders agreed to forge a broadly based partnership and step up in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to promote common development of all countries, Xi said.

The 10 country dialogue has sent a "strong message for closer South-South cooperation and global development cooperation," he said, calling the pattern a "BRICS Plus" mechanism.

(L-R) South African President Jacob Zuma, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, Guinean President Alpha Conde, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha pose for a group photo before the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries. /AFP Photo

BRICS countries have also accelerated institutional building in the areas of political coordination, economic cooperation and cultural exchanges, he noted.

Xi added that BRICS countries had actively carried out cooperation among their legislatures, political parties, young people, think tanks and local regions.

South Africa will assume the BRICS chairmanship next year and host its 10th summit in Johannesburg, Xi told reporters, expressing China's support to the country.

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