China actively supports BRICS Plus approach, expands BRICS cooperation

China actively supports the "BRICS Plus" approach and welcomes fresh momentum to seek greater BRICS cooperation, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on Friday.

Wang Wenbin, the spokesman, made the statement at a press conference in Beijing when commenting on the expansion of the five-nation BRICS group.

Wang said that BRICS is an important cooperation mechanism for emerging markets and developing countries, as well as an important platform for South-South cooperation. Since its establishment 16 years ago, BRICS has maintained a good momentum of development. It has become a positive and constructive force on the international stage, with increasing international influence and appeal. This is reported by CCTV+, a partner of the TV BRICS network.

Wang said that with the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertain global situation, the voice of BRICS countries on major international and regional issues is more important than ever.

"Since its establishment, the BRICS mechanism has been closely linked to the fate of the vast number of emerging markets and developing countries. The New Development Bank has achieved its first expansion. It will provide financial support for the development of more developing countries, and will also enhance the bank's voice and influence in the international financial system," Wang said

"In the face of the combined forces of changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century as well as the overlapping of international hot issues, BRICS countries agreed unanimously to strengthen cooperation with other emerging markets and developing countries, further enhance the representativeness of the BRICS mechanism, raise the voice of BRICS countries on major international and regional issues, join hands to meet challenges and safeguard the common interests and development space of emerging markets and developing countries," he added.

Wang said that BRICS cooperation is open and inclusive, and China welcomes more like-minded partners to join the BRICS mechanism.

"As this year's BRICS presidency, China actively supports the BRICS countries to start the process of membership expansion and promote the 'BRICS Plus' cooperation. Just now I have introduced that during the BRICS leaders' meeting held yesterday, the Chinese leader agreed to continue the 'BRICS Plus' cooperation and advance the BRICS membership expansion. The relative consensus can be seen in the 14th BRICS Summit Beijing Declaration. I think this fully shows that the BRICS cooperation is open and inclusive. China will promote the BRICS parties to continue in-depth discussions on membership expansion, formulate expansion standards and procedures on the basis of consensus, and look forward to more like-minded partners to join the BRICS family," said Wang.

Photo: CCTV+