MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chinese president Xi arrives in Fortaleza for the BRICS summit

It is the second time Xi attends the BRICS summit and his second time to visit Latin America since he took office last year

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived on Monday to Fortaleza, Brazil for a summit of the BRICS countries. The sixth summit of the BRICS, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, will be held in Brazil from Tuesday to Wednesday.

 Upon arrival, Xi noted that BRICS is an important force in international relations and an important constructor of the international system, adding that China firmly supports and actively participates in cooperation among BRICS countries. Currently, world economic recovery is still facing many complex factors, said Xi.

“I look forward to having an in-depth discussion on cooperation with leaders of other BRICS countries, reach further consensus and plan for future development so as to provide more positive energy for pushing forward world economy growth, improving global economic governance and promoting world peace and development,” he said.

The BRICS countries now account for 21% of global economic output and have contributed more than 50% of world economic growth in the past decade.

Under the theme of “Inclusive growth: sustainable solutions,” this year's summit will see the attendance of Xi, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, Russian President Vladimir Putin, South African President Jacob Zuma and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

They will also meet leaders of the Union of South American Nations, Unasur and Celac, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, during the summit.

It is the second time the Chinese leader Xi attends the BRICS summit and his second time to visit Latin America since he took office last year.

His attendance is widely expected to promote cooperation among BRICS countries, boost bilateral ties between China and relevant Latin American countries as well as China-Latin America relations.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong said earlier that the recent slowdown of economic growth in BRICS countries is essentially different from the financial crisis that hit Western countries.