Globalization to be hot topic at upcoming BRICS Summit: experts

B.R. Deepak, an Indian Professor from Jawaharlal Nehru University, says the leaders of BRICS countries are expected to stand behind Chinese President Xi Jinping's vision of globalization.

"The leaders of BRICS countries who will attend the upcoming summit will dedicate themselves to constructing an open world, just as Chinese President Xi Jinping said. I think one of the important topics to be put on the discussion agenda will be globalization. Another main topic will be how the BRICS member states play a role in the globalization process."

Expectations among observers also anticipate a lot of discussions connected to the Belt and Road Initiative.

Laurie Pearcey, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, says China's current Presidency of BRICS, as well as its growing influence, makes the Belt and Road a key area of interest for BRICS members.

"China, there's no doubt, is playing a growing leadership role in a range of global, regional, economic, and political institutions. So that's why I think China's leadership and institutions like BRICS, 'One Belt, One Road', APEC, and a whole range of others mean that China's leadership and their advocacy for globalization and openness is something that's really positive."

BRICS member countries currently contribute over half of all global economic growth.

Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asia Institute with the National University of Singapore, says this is a fact the group will want to relay to the rest of the world during the event.

"Faced with a difficult period for the global economy, we all shifted to focus on the emerging market outside of western countries. I think the BRICS countries can represent the new market, especially China. Compared with the overall trends of the global economy, the Chinese economy enjoys a good condition at present. We are hoping that the leaders of BRICS countries can voice some positive signals to the world."

BRICS countries include Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Leaders from these countries, as well as leaders from a number of non-member emerging markets, will meet from Sunday to Tuesday in the coastal city of Xiamen in Fujian.

On top of leadership meetings, the BRICS sessions will also play host to a number of forums connected to trade and the so-called BRICS development bank.

For CR, this is Huang Yue.