Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has chaired the first Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Beijing. In recent years, many have come to doubt the development prospects and growth impetus of BRICS, questioning whether Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa remain top investment destinations.
However, responding to a question raised by CGTN during Monday's press conference, Wang Yi said he believes emerging economies including BRICS are playing more significant roles in international political and economic affairs.
"BRICS cooperation is eye-catching in today's international arena. And it also shows the international community places high hopes in BRICS cooperation. Whether or not BRICS is fading, China believes the best attitude is that seeing is believing," Wang said.
"Let me show you with some basic figures: According to IMF statistics, during the past 10 years, the total economic volume for BRICS accounts for 23 percent of the world's total, instead of 12 percent in the past. And BRICS countries contribute over 50 percent of global economic growth. All countries should recognize the fact that BRICS countries are making greater and greater contributions to global economic development."
The Chinese foreign minister also said trade and investment among the five countries have increased sharply, and their cooperation has expanded from purely economic to political fields and people-to-people exchanges.
The BRICS countries have strengthened coordination within the UN and G20 framework to safeguard the interests of developing countries, and contributed wisdom to cope with global challenges, according to Wang.
This year marks the beginning of the second decade of BRICS cooperation, and China holds the BRICS rotating presidency. Later this year, China will host the ninth BRICS Summit. Wang said China will take the Xiamen meeting as an opportunity to work with other BRICS countries to review experience, plan for the future, and usher in a "golden decade" of BRICS cooperation.
