China urges BRICS to work on openness of global economy

The BRICS countries should work together to maintain the openness of global economies and oppose trade protectionism amid worldwide economic sluggishness, China's top diplomat said on Thursday.

This year's BRICS summit, with the attendance of top leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, will be held in coastal Xiamen, Fujian province, from Sept 3 to 5, State Councilor Yang Jiechi announced at the opening ceremony of this year's first BRICS Sherpa meeting in Nanjing.

With the past decade's cooperation, BRICS has become an important force to boost economic growth and improve global governance, he said in a keynote speech, adding that great potential remains for cooperation between the BRICS countries.

"The advantages of complementary resources of the five countries are yet to be developed," he said.

The BRICS countries should resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation, Yang said. He also said the five nations should work together to raise the voices of developing countries and emerging economies when it comes to global affairs.

An IMF report said emerging markets and developing countries have contributed about 80 percent to the global economic growth last year, Yang explained.

More than 100 representatives involving Sherpa staff, diplomats and bankers attended the Sherpa meeting, which will end on Friday. The theme of the Sherpa meeting was to deepen BRICS partnership and create a brighter future.

China became the presidential country of the BRICS countries this year. In a letter sent to the leaders of BRICS countries on Jan 1, President Xi Jinping predicted that cooperation among BRICS nations will continue to progress and play a bigger role in international affairs over the next decade.

"In accordance with an open, inclusive and win-win BRICS spirit, China will work with other BRICS countries to make the Xiamen summit a success and move BRICS cooperation to a new level," Xi said in his letter.