Journalists from BRICS nations share the most important issues for their countries
By CGTN's JIm Spellman
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Journalists from each BRICS nation have gathered inside the BRICS International Broadcast Center, the sprawling complex at Xiamen, to cover the summit for their respective countries.
The CGTN team caught up with these journalists to get a sense of the most important issues concerning their home audiences.
Journalists  from different countries reporting the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, China. / CGTN Photo

Journalists  from different countries reporting the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, China. / CGTN Photo

Attracting investments for Brazil
Brazilian reporter Rafael Fontana says the BRICS Summit comes at a crucial time for Brazil, as the country is emerging from several years of political turmoil. 
“The BRICS Summit is going to be very important for Brazil to try to attract investments again in Brazil. We had a recession for three years and this is maybe the best platform for Brazil to come and attract investments,” Fontana said. 
Strengthening ties between Russia and China 
Russian journalist Konstantine Shepin reports that several deals expected to be signed at the summit will bring China and Russia closer. 
“An important one is the cooperation agreement between Fujian Province and one of the Russian regions. I need to say that Russia and China are developing their cooperation between the regions at a very active pace right now,” Shepin said. 
People-to-people ties have grown in recent years between China and Russia. 
“Right now China is the number one tourist country for Russia. Quite a lot of Russian tourists are coming over to China,” said Shepin. 
Boosting Cooperation between India and China
Radio reporter Krishnamoorthy Manikandan says India is also looking to strengthen ties with China. 
Reporter Krishnamoorthy Manikandan from India / CGTN Photo

Reporter Krishnamoorthy Manikandan from India / CGTN Photo

“The BRICS Summit is important for India just as it is for China because as an emerging market it would like to boost cooperation between India and China,” he said. 
For South Africa, an important trade partner
Melanie Peters is a South African journalist. She says BRICS has helped her country forge closer ties with China. 
Reporter Melanie Peters from South Africa / CGTN Photo

Reporter Melanie Peters from South Africa / CGTN Photo

“China is our biggest trading partner, they play a vital role in business and in deals and they are working to build infrastructure,” Peters said. 
Du Yang is from host country China. He says the expanded meeting this year –  with China inviting five additional developing countries – will be interesting to watch. 
“One of the highlights is the idea of "BRICS Plus" and how exactly this idea will play out in the BRICS Summit. The idea was first announced by Foreign Minister Wang Yi. "It’s about expanding the circle of friends of China,” said Yang. 
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