The three-day ninth BRICS summit to kick off in China on Sunday is of great significance, Chinese Ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming said in a signed article published Thursday by the Daily Telegraph and its website.
"Against profound adjustments in the world political and economic landscape, this summit and its success matter to more than just the group itself," Liu said in the article titled, "Common aspiration will lead BRICS to new success."
Leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are to meet in east China's coastal city of Xiamen on Sept. 3-5.
This year, BRICS cooperation enters its second decade. "For a decade, BRICS countries have targeted their cooperation at development and delivered benefits to not only the people of their own, but the rest of the world," Liu noted.
"The past decade has also seen BRICS breaking away from outdated political-military alliances, an ideology-based mindset and a winner-takes-all approach," he said.
"The BRICS cooperation has not all been plain sailing, but the five countries have always opted to trust one another, to remain confident and to stay true to their commitment of long-term, sustainable cooperation," said the Chinese diplomat.
The five BRICS countries account for 26 percent of the world's landmass and are home to 43 percent of the world's population. The bloc is composed of emerging markets and the developing world.
Starting from scratch 10 years ago, BRICS cooperation has grown closer and borne "golden fruits".
"The BRICS spirit, namely openness, solidarity, equality, mutual understanding, inclusiveness and mutually beneficial cooperation, is all the more needed," said the Chinese ambassador. "The world expects the BRICS nations to work more closely together, to show solidarity and to take up their responsibilities."
Liu said that BRICS can become the "propeller" of unity among emerging markets and developing countries by spreading the benefits of BRICS cooperation, safeguarding the overall interests of the developing world, exploring the "BRICS Plus" dialogue involving additional countries, advancing international development and building a global partnership network.
Second, BRICS can serve as the "stabilizer" of regional and international situation by supporting the United Nations' central role in international affairs, aiding in political resolutions of hot spot issues, and offering a joint response to terrorism, climate change and other global challenges, said Liu.
Third, BRICS can work as an "accelerator" in the reform of the international order by enhancing multipolarity and democracy in international relations, by upholding fairness and justice, by contributing "BRICS wisdom" and "BRICS solutions" to world peace and development and by playing an active and constructive role in building a community of shared future for mankind, the ambassador said.
The BRICS Xiamen summit themed "Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future" will map out a blueprint for the next decade for the bloc, Liu noted.
He expressed hope in the article that the BRICS in the coming years would build a stronger partnership to uphold world peace, promote common development, enhance the diversity of civilizations and improve global economic governance.
