STORY: BRICS cooperation important to world: experts
DATELINE: Aug. 23, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:48
LOCATION: Beijing
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the 15th BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WILLIAM JONES, Washington bureau chief of U.S. publication Executive Intelligence Review
3. various of South Africa's economic sector
4. various of BRICS countries
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SWARAN SINGH, Professor at School of Int'l Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University
6. various of South Africa
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (French): MICHEL RUIMY, Economist, Professor of economy at Sciences Po Paris and ESCP Europe
8. various of infrastructure in South Africa

STORYLINE:

The 15th BRICS Summit is held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The bloc groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

They now contribute about a quarter of the global GDP.

Experts say, strengthened BRICS cooperation will play a crucial role in stabilizing the world economy.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WILLIAM JONES, Washington bureau chief of U.S. publication Executive Intelligence Review
"Just look at the figures of international trade and investment, that the BRICS are playing a much more important role, a much bigger role in the world economy than at any time before. It has been playing a stabilizing role for the developing world."

Today, over 20 countries are knocking on the door of BRICS.

Scholars say that has reflected the credibility of the mechanism.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SWARAN SINGH, Professor at School of Int'l Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University
"This time, South Africa is inviting 65 heads of nations in terms of the BRICS-Africa outreach and 'BRICS Plus' (dialogues), and also in terms of Africa and BRICS combination of leaders. So, this kind of enormous interest that BRICS is generating, with so many countries willing to join BRICS, is a reflection of the credibility of BRICS, the potential of BRICS nations, and how the world sees BRICS as the future organization."

Over the years, BRICS has actively promoted cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries under the "BRICS Plus" model.

SOUNDBITE 3 (French): MICHEL RUIMY, Economist, Professor of economy at Sciences Po Paris and ESCP Europe
"It is important to understand that the BRICS are helping the least developed countries to develop their economies, to reduce poverty, and above all, to eliminate social inequalities. That is why I think this meeting is so important."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing.
(XHTV)