NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday attended the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Dialogue with Developing Countries (BRICS+) in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod.
The dialogue saw participation from the BRICS countries and 12 major developing countries with regional influence, including Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Turkey, Mauritania, Cuba, Venezuela and Bahrain.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stated that BRICS+ serves as a vital dialogue platform for the BRICS nations towards the broader emerging markets and developing countries. It has long been a dynamic force for BRICS development and has become a flag of South-South cooperation.
The Chinese foreign minister noted that we are in an era of turmoil and chaos. The Ukraine crisis and Gaza conflict are protracted, challenges like cybersecurity and climate change are emerging one after another, and a certain country, in order to maintain its unipolar hegemony, is rallying allies for unilateral sanctions, erecting protectionist walls, and weaponizing economic and financial measures. In addition, the North-South divide is widening, and the global economic recovery has faced setbacks.
Meanwhile, the collective rise of emerging markets and developing countries significantly drives the process towards a multipolar world. A new wave of technological and industrial revolutions is emerging, propelling numerous countries onto a fast development track, Wang pointed out.
The Global South is no longer a silent majority but a new awakened force, he stressed.
The Chinese foreign minister made a three-point proposal on how developing countries can create new opportunities amidst these changes: uphold universal security and jointly address challenges; prioritize development and join hands with progressive forces; and uphold fairness and justice, and improve global governance.
During the meeting, the participants highly praised the strategic significance of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Dialogue with Developing Countries, noting that the BRICS+ model facilitates unity and cooperation among developing countries, enhancing the Global South's influence and building a more just and reasonable international order.
They agreed to uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, oppose unilateralism and hegemonism, insist on resolving conflicts and differences through dialogue and consultation, promote political solutions to international hotspots, and achieve a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible.
They also called for reforms to the international financial system, enhanced cooperation in digital economy, infrastructure and other areas, safeguarding the stability of the global industrial supply chain, narrowing the development gap, and achieving shared progress.
On Tuesday, Wang also met with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, and exchanged views with other foreign ministers attending the dialogue. ■
