BRICS countries should raise their voice in global economic governance

The BRICS countries should actively participate in international multilateral cooperation and raise their voice in global economic governance, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with other leaders of the BRICS countries on the sidelines of the Group of Twenty (G20) summit.[Special coverage]

Economic cooperation serves as the lasting power house for the development of the BRICS countries, Xi said when meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Jacob Zuma and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

The BRICS countries should remain committed to drafting long-term blueprint for economic cooperation and forging a closer economic partnership by facilitating market inter-linkages, financial integration, infrastructure connectivity as well as people-to-people contacts, he said.

All sides should step up efforts to the establishment of a new development bank and a contingency reserve arrangement since both are of great significance, he added

The cooperation between the BRICS countries should be driven by the two "wheels" of economy and politics so that the BRICS can act as not only the world's economic engine, but also a shield for world peace, said the Chinese president.

The BRICS countries should further their cooperation and coordination in world's politics and security to safeguard the world's fairness and justice, Xi said.

All sides should also strengthen coordination and cooperation at the G20 summit to help achieve positive results, he said

Xi met other BRICS leaders hours ahead of the G20 summit in Brisbane. He arrived here late Friday to attend the summit and will later pay a state visit to Australia.