BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese President and leaders of the four other BRICS emerging economies have met at a summit in Durban to discuss forging a partnership for development, integration and industrialization. In a keynote speech, the Chinese president called on bloc members to work together toward mutual development. He also pledged China’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with other BRICS members.

Joining hands for a joint purpose.

Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of global partnerships and urged countries to promote cooperation on issues including the economy, trade, finance, infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges.

Xi said, "No matter how the reform of global governance may unfold, we should always take an active and constructive role in the process and make the international order more just and equitable so as to provide institutional safeguards for world peace and stability."

Xi also shared his thoughts on developing a "Partnership for Development, Integration and Industrialization".

He urged the BRICS nations to move toward the goal of integrated markets, multi-tiered financial networks, connectivity by land, air and sea, and greater cultural exchanges.

Xi said, " I suggest you explore the feasibility of big project cooperation, for example, infrastructure development, research and development in emerging industries, and local currency settlements in the financial sector. This will help the growth of enterprises and inter-governmental cooperation within the BRICS group. "

Xi Jinping also encouraged the bloc to pursue such projects as a BRICS Development Bank and a foreign exchange reserve pool to further deepen cooperation.

The proposed bank will help BRICS countries absorb financial risks and provide support for the development of African countries.

Leaders of other BRICS countries -- Brazil, , India and South Africa -- also contributed their ideas on deepening cooperation within the bloc and with African countries.

According to the newly released annual report on BRICS social-economic development in 2013, the five BRICS countries were responsible for a quarter of the world’s total economy, and 17 percent of world trade.

In 2012, the trade volume between China and the other four BRICS member countries reached 300 billion US dollars.

(Source: CNTV.cn)