Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday delivered a keynote speech at a virtual BRICS Summit, calling on member states to strengthen solidarity, uphold multilateralism, and resist protectionism to safeguard global stability.
Defending Multilateralism and Fairness
Xi said the world is witnessing transformations “unseen in a century,” with hegemonism, unilateralism, and protectionism becoming rampant. He urged BRICS to jointly defend international fairness and justice by adhering to the principle of extensive consultation, shared contributions, and mutual benefits. The United Nations, he stressed, must remain at the centre of the international system, with international law as the foundation.
Commitment to Open Trade and Globalisation
Labelling economic globalisation as an “irresistible trend of history,” Xi warned against isolationism and protectionist trade barriers. He emphasised that BRICS must build an open global economy, uphold the multilateral trading system led by the WTO, and promote inclusive growth that ensures equal participation of countries from the Global South in international cooperation.
Solidarity for Common Development
Xi noted that BRICS represents nearly half of the world’s population, about 30% of global GDP, and one-fifth of international trade. He argued that closer cooperation will make the bloc more resilient and effective in tackling external risks.
China, he said, is prepared to deepen practical cooperation with BRICS partners in business, finance, science, and technology, while advancing the Global Development Initiative and Belt and Road cooperation to deliver tangible benefits to member states and the wider Global South.
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