BRICS members urged to safeguard peace, stability, uphold multilateralism
President Xi Jinping called on Tuesday for wiping out the "political
virus" in the world's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting
global economic recovery by upholding openness and innovation.
Xi made the remarks in Beijing when addressing the 12th BRICS Summit
via video link. BRICS groups the emerging markets of Brazil, Russia,
India, China and South Africa.
"What has happened shows that acts of politicization, stigmatization,
blame-shifting and scapegoating only serve to disrupt overall global
cooperation against the virus," Xi said. "We need to overcome division
with unity, replace bias with reason and stamp out the 'political
virus'. In this way, we will pool the maximum global synergy to beat the
virus."
He called on the BRICS countries to uphold multilateralism to safeguard world peace and stability.
It is against the universal aspiration of people around the world to
ignore rules and the rule of law, engage in unilateralism and bullying,
and keep withdrawing from multilateral groups and reneging on
agreements, Xi said, adding that such acts trample on the legitimate
rights and dignity of all countries.
He expressed opposition to interference in the internal affairs of
other countries, as well as unilateral sanctions and "long-arm
jurisdiction".
Xi underlined the need to support the World Health Organization in
playing a leading role in the fight against the pandemic, and called on
the BRICS countries to strengthen cooperation in vaccine research and
development.
Noting that Chinese companies are carrying out Phase III clinical
trials of COVID-19 vaccines with Russian and Brazilian partners, Xi said
China is also willing to cooperate with South Africa and India in this
regard.
He proposed that the five BRICS countries hold a symposium on
traditional medicines to explore their role in preventing and treating
COVID-19.
"China has joined the COVAX facility, a platform on which we will
share vaccines with other countries, developing countries in particular.
We will actively consider providing vaccines to BRICS countries where
there is a need," Xi said.
Noting that stabilizing the economy while controlling the pandemic is
the pressing task facing all countries, Xi underlined the need to
pursue openness and innovation and promote global economic recovery.
"Under the current situation, we need to stand firm for building an open
world economy."
The practice of using the pandemic to pursue "de-globalization "or to
clamor for "economic decoupling" and "parallel systems" will end up
hurting one's own interests and the common interests of all, he said.
"We need to uphold the multilateral trading system with the World Trade
Organization at its core and reject abuse of the 'national security'
concept for protectionist purposes," he added.
Saying that the global economy is experiencing the worst recession
since the Great Depression in the 1930s, Xi put forward proposals for
BRICS cooperation to overcome global challenges.
"We need to leverage the new business forms and models triggered by
the pandemic, strengthen cooperation on scientific and technological
innovation, and nurture an open, fair, equitable and nondiscriminatory
business environment to bring about common development of higher quality
and stronger resilience," he said.
China is willing to work with other BRICS countries to accelerate
building a BRICS partnership on the new industrial revolution, Xi said,
adding that China will set up an innovation center for such a
partnership in Xiamen, Fujian province.
Xi called for prioritizing people's livelihoods to promote
sustainable development across the world, saying that development holds
the key to solving all problems.
In his speech, Xi also stressed the need to pursue green and
low-carbon development, and strive for harmony between man and nature.
"We need to implement the Paris Agreement in good faith, stick to the
principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and provide
more help to developing countries, particularly the small island
developing states," he said.