Xi promotes "BRICS Plus" pattern to deepen South-South cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday delivered a speech at the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries at Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center, promoting expanded cooperation among developing countries.

BRICS has the tradition of attaching importance to communication with other emerging markets and developing countries. China, this year, invited five other countries from different regions – Egypt, Guinea, Mexico, Tajikistan and Thailand.

It was the first time that leaders of the five BRICS countries meet with their counterparts from five other developing countries to discuss global development cooperation and South-South cooperation, as China proposed the model of "BRICS Plus."

The Chinese president expects the dialogue to create strong impetus for deepening South-South cooperation and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

"I'm confident that this dialogue will strengthen the solidarity and cooperation among emerging and developing countries, and also contribute to the building of the BRICS mechanism," Xi said.

Calling the collective rise of the emerging market and developing countries "an irreversible trend of our times," Xi said these countries have made great contribution to global economic growth in recent years, accounting for 80 percent of global growth in 2016.

"They are worthy of the reputation as the main engine of global growth," Xi added.

At present, while the world economy is moving upward and the international trade and investment is picking up, the new round of technological and industrial revolution is gaining momentum with new industries, new technologies and new business models springing up, he said.

"From this point of view, emerging market and developing countries are faced with rare opportunities of development," Xi added.

When meeting the press at the end of the ninth BRICS summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping said

that the "BRICS Plus" leaders have agreed on deepening South-South cooperation, fostering the "BRICS Plus" pattern, and building extensive partnerships.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY & CGTN)