Support for Putin’s open door proposal
China warns there can be no winner in the case of a trade war
The leaders of the five Brics nations have agreed to a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin that co-operation be extended at people-topeople level to promote cooperation and make the community more inclusive.
In a closed session between the presidents of South Africa‚ China‚ India‚ Russia and Brazil‚ Putin proposed that Brics should not just be a meeting of leaders but include the citizens of the five nations.
In an open session at the summit on Thursday‚ Chinese President Xi Jinping revealed that the five presidents had agreed to expand cultural‚ sporting and arts links.
President Cyril Ramaphosa‚ in his closing remarks, said the proposal by Putin would be an important aspect of co-operation. He said officials of the five nations had been instructed to develop this proposal‚ which could see sports people and artists competing and collaborating in special events.
The Brics community has so far focused on promoting economic ties between the world’s leading developing economies.
All five leaders stressed the importance of science‚ technology‚ skills development and digital innovation in stimulating growth and keeping pace with the fourth industrial revolution.
Ramaphosa said quantum leaps in technology and innovation presented enormous opportunities for growth‚ development and human progress.
Putin said the five nations needed to promote the safety and security of their citizens. This included a safe and reliable internet environment‚ and protection of personal data.
The three-day summit of the world’s five leading emerging economies is being closely watched internationally‚ especially with tensions rising over the threat of a US-led trade war.
Chinese president Xi Jinping said there would be no winner in a global trade war‚ which has been perceived as a warning to US President Donald Trump.
The five nations need to promote the safety and security of citizens