On 28 March 2012, on the eve of his departure for New Delhi to attend the fourth BRICS Summit, President Hu Jintao gave a written interview to BRICS media, including Jornal do Comercio of Brazil, Rossiyskaya Gazeta of Russia, The Hindu of India, Peoples Daily of China and BusinessDay of South Africa. He answered questions on the forthcoming BRICS Summit, the impact of the growing weight of emerging markets and developing countries on the international landscape, the role of BRICS countries in global governance, BRICS practical cooperation and China's relations with other BRICS countries.

Question: The fourth BRICS Summit will be held from 28 to 29 March in New Delhi, India. What is China's expectation for the summit?

The fourth BRICS Summit is held against the backdrop of continued profound and complex changes in the international situation, uncertain prospects in world economic recovery and steadily rising status and role of emerging markets and developing countries in international affairs. It is yet another major event in the ongoing BRICS cooperation. India, the host country, has worked effectively in preparing for the summit. China will work with other BRICS members to push for positive outcomes of the summit.

China hopes that the summit will continue to display the BRICS spirit of unity and win-win partnership, continue to enhance coordination and cooperation on global economy, finance, development and other major issues of common interest, push forward practical cooperation in various fields, send a joint message of confidence for world economic stability and recovery, provide impetus for improved global economic governance and make a contribution to common development in the whole world. We also hope that the summit will help strengthen institutional building of BRICS cooperation, map out plans for the future, and lay a solid foundation for the long-term growth of BRICS cooperation.

I look forward to meeting with other BRICS leaders in New Delhi to discuss how we can best enhance our cooperation and bring about a better future together.

Question: How does China think the growing weight of emerging markets and developing countries will impact on the international landscape?

Currently, a large number of emerging markets and developing countries have achieved rapid economic growth and become an important force in promoting world peace and common development. Firmly committing to the path of peaceful development, cooperative development and harmonious development, these countries form an important part of common development of the world, which is conducive to a more balanced world economy, more reasonable international relations, more effective global governance and more durable world peace.

Since the outbreak of the international financial crisis in 2008, these countries have spearheaded the global recovery through their own development. The steady increase of their representation and the greater say they acquired in global economic governance has moved the international order in the direction of greater fairness and rationality. What has happened testifies once again that without the rise of emerging markets and developing countries, there will be no universal prosperity in the world; and that without the stability of these countries, there will be no world peace and stability. The development of these countries has a constructive impact on the international landscape. The international community should look at these countries from a long-term and strategic perspective and actively support their development.

Question: How does China see the momentum and future of BRICS cooperation and its role in global governance? How can BRICS countries uphold the interests of developing countries through closer coordination?

BRICS countries are the defender and promoter of the interests of developing countries. In their cooperation, BRICS countries have committed to promoting South-South cooperation and North-South dialogue, endeavored to implement the UN Millennium Development Goals, worked for early realization of the goals set out in the mandate for the Doha development round negotiations, strived to secure a greater say for developing countries in global economic governance and fought all forms of protectionism. Cooperation among BRICS countries is made necessary by the ongoing economic globalization and democratization in international relations. It is consistent with the trend of times characterized by peace, development and cooperation, and fully

conducive to building a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity.

From Yekaterinburg to Brasilia, and from Sanya to New Delhi, the mechanism of BRICS summit has improved steadily, with a multi-level and wide-ranging cooperation framework having well taken shape. Political mutual trust among BRICS members is strengthened, their practical cooperation in the economy, finance, trade, development and other fields deepened, and their communication and coordination in major international affairs enhanced. They have played a constructive role in global governance. It is fair to say that BRICS cooperation now stands on a solid ground, enjoys a huge potential and holds out a broad prospect.

China has always made cooperation with emerging markets and developing countries, BRICS included, a foreign policy priority, and has firmly supported and actively participated in BRICS cooperation. China will work closely with other BRICS countries to enlarge the scope of common interest, raise the level of cooperation and make even greater contribution to the lofty cause of peace and development of mankind.

Question: How does the Chinese side view the practical cooperation among BRICS countries? What major cooperation outcomes has BRICS achieved since its inception? What important proposals will be put forward in the near future in terms of strengthening institutional building and practical cooperation?

Practical cooperation is an important pillar of BRICS cooperation. BRICS practical cooperation, which started from scratch, has in recent years grown steadily with enriched contents and diverse forms. Such cooperation serves the common interests of the BRICS members and enjoys a favorable response in their economic, social and public opinion circles.

In the past year, BRICS countries have vigorously implemented the Action Plan of the Sanya Declaration and expanded their cooperation in wide-ranging areas of finance, industry, commerce, health, agriculture, statistics, science, technology and think-tanks, thus bringing tangible benefits to their peoples and further reinforcing the momentum of BRICS cooperation.

As for BRICS practical cooperation in the near future, China wants to see efforts made in the following two areas: First, building a solid foundation. We should beef up the existing cooperation programs in the spirit of practicality and efficiency and build a number of flagship projects. Second, being innovative. We should properly explore new areas of cooperation in light of the needs of economic and social development in BRICS countries, tap the cooperation potential and inject new vitality into the mechanism of BRICS cooperation.

I am confident that with sustained commitment to the principles of openness, solidarity and mutual assistance and by making concerted efforts, BRICS members will keep making fresh progress in their practical cooperation in various fields for the benefit of their peoples.

Question: How does China evaluate its relations with other BRICS members? With South Africa joining BRICS last year, how does China see South Africa's contribution to BRICS as a new member?

The other BRICS members are all China's strategic partners. It is a foreign policy priority for China to develop relations with them.

Brazil is the first developing country to establish a strategic partnership with China. In recent years, the two countries have had frequent high-level exchanges, resulting in stronger political mutual trust and steady development of cooperation mechanisms. The two countries have also maintained close communication and coordination in major international and regional affairs.

China and Russia are each other's largest neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination. The bilateral relations have enjoyed the momentum of sound and steady growth. At present, the two countries are actively implementing the ten-year plan for the development of China-Russia relations and the series of important consensus and agreements of cooperation reached by their leaders and their cooperation in various fields is moving forward vigorously.

The China-India strategic and cooperative partnership has made all-round progress in recent years. A sustained, sound and steady growth of relations between China and India, the two large developing countries sharing borders with each other, will serve not only the well-being of the two peoples but also peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world as a whole.

The people of China and South Africa enjoy a deeply-cherished traditional friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have seen their relations growing in a comprehensive and rapid manner. China and South Africa have carried out fruitful cooperation in the political, economic, trade, cultural, people-to-people, international affairs and other fields, which benefits the two countries and gives a strong boost to China-Africa relations and solidarity and cooperation among developing countries. BRICS has become more representative with South Africa being a member.

I look forward to meeting other BRICS leaders in New Delhi to exchange views on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of mutual interest.