BRICS to discuss common challenges: China

On the eve of the BRICS summit in New Delhi, China today said the meeting of the leaders of the top five emerging economies would discuss collective measures to boost cooperation among them and take steps to jointly respond to common challenges.

The summit meeting of the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) is being held in the back drop of changing landscape of international economy, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei told a media briefing here.

There are still uncertainties to global economic recovery. The representation of emerging countries and their voice in the international institutions is increasing. The summit will discuss measures to boost cooperation and steps to respond to common challenges, he said.

Earlier, Chinese officials said the summit would discuss the appointment of new head of the World Bank as well as collective measures to speed up the global economic recovery.

Asked about the BRICS countries trading in their currencies, Hong said trade and investment cooperation among member countries at present is increasing. "Facilitation of trade and investment among the BRICS countries is our common goal. Relevant policy and measure toward this end merit our consideration and discussion", he said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao would be leading a 150 member trade delegation to take part in the two day BRICS summit beginning tomorrow.