BRICS should share common ground: former WTO Amb

Shanghai (CNS) -- The BRICS countries are gaining more influence over the economic globalization agenda and having more say in structural reforms to international governance, and thus should reach a common ground on significant international issues to extend their strength, said former Chinese Ambassador Sun Zhenyu to the WTO at an international symposium, Friday.

The U.S. and the EU are losing dominance in international trade and therefore how its rules are formulated. Now is the age for the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) to vigorously challenge the status quo, stated Sun at the symposium, themed Global Governance and the BRICS, at the founding ceremony of the Center for BRICS Studies of Fudan University.

Raising the voice of BRICS countries in the international community depends on how the five rising stars defend the interests of developing countries and directly shape the future structure of the world.

No denying that the BRICS have internal diversity in some specific matters, and the key to harmonizing them lies in mutual understanding based on a collective will to act for the better and greater good of all of them. Sun encouraged the five to continue trade negotiations, and discussions on global financial reforms and climate change challenges.

The founding of the institute is good timing, complimented Sun. Further contact with equivalent organs in the other four states is called for.