By CGTN's Zhang Ke  

Representatives from the BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - signed an action plan on cultural cooperation on Thursday at a ministerial meeting in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin.

The group pledged to step up efforts to strengthen cultural ties in the five-year Action Plan for the Implementation of the Agreement between the Governments of the BRICS States on Cooperation in the Field of Culture.  

The deal was sealed at the Second Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Culture, hosted by the Ministry of Culture of China in Tianjin.

CGTN Photo

Chinese Minister of Culture Luo Shugang said it was the common wish of BRICS countries to seek common ground in cultural values while respecting diversity.

Representatives from the group also elaborated on future cooperation.

Russian Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky said cooperation in this area brought peoples of the BRICS countries closer together.

India's Mahesh Sharma mentioned the success of Bollywood movie "Dangal" in China, and said he hoped more Indian art forms could come to China in the future. 

The five countries also set up BRICS alliances of libraries, museums, art galleries and children's theater.

CGTN Photo

The aim is to encourage national-level institutions to enhance exchanges and mutual learning via exhibitions and information sharing.

Culture ministers from BRICS first met in Moscow in 2015, and this gathering in Tianjin marked the start of an annual practice.

The next event will be held in South Africa in 2018.