Top legislator calls for consolidating BRICS unity

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the nation's top legislature, urged legislative bodies of the BRICS nations on Tuesday to play an active role in consolidating unity among them and deepening cooperation in order to add positive, stable and constructive forces to the world.

Li made the remarks in Beijing via video link while presiding over a BRICS parliamentary forum attended by senior lawmakers of other BRICS countries. BRICS, which groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, represents the world's emerging markets and major developing countries.

Noting that friendly exchanges between the legislative bodies have provided legal guarantees and policy support to BRICS cooperation, Li said that China's NPC is ready to enhance cooperation with the legislative bodies of BRICS countries to promote the development of partnership and contribute to the recovery and sustainable development of the world economy.

He called on the legislative bodies of the BRICS member nations to uphold fairness and justice to maintain peace and security, and to support and participate in the China-proposed Global Security Initiative.

He also urged all sides to continue enhancing coordination to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The five countries' legislative bodies should strengthen policy communication and coordination and jointly safeguard the United Nations Charter and the authority of international law, he added.

Li underlined the need for the BRICS countries to work together to promote development and prosperity.

Highlighting that the China-proposed Global Development Initiative aims to build a global development community and revitalize global development, he also urged all parties to continue enhancing coordination to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Noting that exchanges among legislative bodies is an important part of BRICS cooperation, Li called for actively expanding exchanges among the legislative bodies of BRICS countries, as well as boosting communications on state governance.