China, SA pushing Brics partnership to new heights

China’s ambassador to South Africa Tian Xuejun on the 7th Brics Summit held in Ufa, Russia last week.

WHAT outcomes do you think the 7th Brics summit achieved?

The theme of the seventh Brics summit recently held in Ufa was “Brics Partnership – A Powerful Factor of Global Development”. Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward a four-point proposal of building a partnership for world peace, common development, inter-civilisation dialogue and more effective global economic governance.

Well received by the other Brics members, the proposal further defines Brics’ nature, mission and future direction. I believe with concerted efforts by all sides, this year’s summit has yielded fruitful results.

First, the Brics New Development Bank (NDB) and Contingent Reserve Arrangement were launched formally. A year ago, Brics leaders witnessed the signing of the agreement on the New Development Bank in Fortaleza, Brazil. Only one year later, the preparation and organisation work of NDB has been completed, which reflects “Brics speed” as well as the vitality and efficiency of this mechanism.

Second, the summit charted the road map for economic and trade co-operation among Brics countries before 2020 by adopting the Strategy for Brics Economic Partnership, that is, to build Brics as a community of shared interests featuring a big integrated market, multitiered interflows, land, sea and air links, and greater cultural exchanges.

Third, the political partnership of Brics countries has been further cemented. Brics leaders had in-depth discussions and reached broad consensus on a series of major international issues.

On the whole, this summit has consolidated the Brics partnership, promoted Brics practical co-operation and showcased Brics commitment to promoting democracy in international relations.

What kind of role has Brics been playing since its inception?

Brics has come a long way in promoting democracy in international relations and world economic development.

Brics countries have stood for international equity and justice, spoken with one voice for the emerging markets and developing countries on various international and regional issues, called for full compliance with the purpose and principles of the UN Charter, the international law and basic norms of international relations, and pushed for peaceful settlement of international disputes through political and diplomatic means.

Brics countries have worked to boost world economic growth and improve global economic governance. We have enhanced the representation and voice of the emerging markets and developing countries in international economic and financial affairs, and instilled new momentum to the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other international financial institutions.

Both China and South Africa are Brics members, what kind of roles will these two countries play in co-operation between Brics countries and Africa?

China and South Africa could facilitate co-operation between Brics and Africa in three aspects.

First, continue to play the leading role in China-Africa relations with the China-South Africa Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Second, jointly push forward China-Africa co-operation to a new height. In the latter half of this year, the Conference of Forum on China-Africa Co-operation is to be held in South Africa.

Third, jointly push Brics to safeguard the interests of Africa and developing coun- tries. China and South Africa ought to lead the co-ordination and collaboration among Brics countries and accommodate the interests of African countries.

Brics countries face multiple difficulties and challenges, and some even claim Brics is “losing its gloss”. How do you see the prospects of Brics countries?

Whether Brics is losing its gloss or not, we should let statistics speak for themselves. Today, Brics countries account for one-fifth of the world economy and contribute to more than 50 percent of the world’s economic growth.

According to the IMF, the growth rate of Brics countries will continue to be higher than that of developed countries and other emerging markets until 2030.