BRICS expansion hailed as 'historic'

"We value the interests of other countries in building a partnership with BRICS. We have tasked our foreign ministers to further develop the BRICS partner country model and a list of prospective partner countries and report by the next summit," Ramaphosa said.

The five leaders shared a vision for BRICS as a champion of the needs and concerns of the peoples of the developing Global South, including the need for beneficial economic growth, sustainable development and reform of multilateral systems, he said.

"We reiterate our commitment to inclusive multilateralism and upholding international law, including the purposes and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter," Ramaphosa added.

Wang Lei, director of Beijing Normal University's Center for BRICS Cooperation Studies, said the fact that the BRICS countries have reached consensus on the expansion of membership is a key indicator of mutual trust within the group.

"The joining of six new members will substantially elevate the strength of the grouping and enable it to play an increasingly important role in the global governance system," Wang said.

The inclusion of the six additional countries in BRICS will help further demonstrate the solidarity among the Global South and demonstrate the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, he said.

Wang added that the expansion of the group will enhance the representation of BRICS in the Middle East, Africa and South America. "The rise in the global representation of the grouping will help build up solidarity among developing nations and effectively improve the influence in various regions," he said.

xuwei@chinadaily.com.cn