Xi addressed the opening of the 14th BRICS summit

BRICS countries, as important emerging markets and major developing countries, need to act with a sense of responsibility to bring positive, stabilizing and constructive strength to the world, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday.  China Daily, a partner of the TV BRICS network, writes this.

Xi made the remarks while chairing the 14th BRICS Summit via video link in Beijing. BRICS is a group of countries which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The summit, titled "Fostering High-quality Partnership and Ushering in a New Era of Global Development", comes as the world faces the continued spread of COVID-19, a tortuous world economic recovery and increasingly salient peace and security issues.

Facing formidable and complex circumstances, BRICS countries need to speak out for equity and justice and jointly encourage the international community to practice true multilateralism, Xi said.

He underlined the need to reject a Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation, oppose unilateral sanctions and abuse of sanctions and reject small circles built around hegemonism by forming one big family in a community with a shared future for mankind.

He called for enhancing international cooperation on COVID-19, pooling strength for economic recovery, stepping up macro policy coordination and keeping industrial and supply chains secure and unclogged.

While stressing the need to build an open world economy, Xi also emphasized the importance of forestalling and defusing major risks and challenges in global development and working for more inclusive and resilient economic growth.

"We need to advocate sustainable and people-centered development, invest more in poverty alleviation, food, education, health and so on, and promote the implementation of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to bring stronger, greener and healthier global development," he said.

Photo: Xinhua News Agency