By Manasse Nyirenda

Johannesburg, August 24, Mana: President Lazarus Chakwera on Tuesday held bilateral talks with Chinese president Xi at Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.

During the meeting the president thanked his Chinese counterpart for China's continued support to Malawi in the areas of infrastructure development, education and telecommunications and has assured Malawi of continued support to achieve resilience against climate shocks and other development initiatives.

Chinese president Xi Jimping also thanked the president for  Malawi's support for  one China Policy and also advocating for economic development for least developed nations.

Speaking during his address at the BRICS + dialogue between BRICS member states and invited countries, Chakwera said the grouping has the potential to champion economic development for the countries of the south also referred to as global South.

He said global financial and institutional systems have failed to respond to the needs of countries such as Malawi speedily and fairly.

However, he said in spite of challenges the countries in the global South, have the resources needed to improve the livelihoods of their people.

"The countries gathered here account for almost half of the global natural resources the world needs for creation of digital and green economies tomorrow," he said.

He added that for this pursuit to be successful, there is need to enhance institutions such as Forum for China Africa Trade (FOCAC) and Africa Free Trade Area among others, to facilitate development for these countries.

Chakwera was invited to attend the Summit by South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa and has since rendered Malawi's support to the aspirations of BRICS.

Two more African countries namely Ethiopia and Egypt have been admitted into BRICS alongside United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Argentina.

They will officially become members of the group on January 1, 2024 bringing the membership of the grouping to 11.

BRICS is a grouping of five worlds emerging economies namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

It was originally formed to enhance political and economic collaboration among the Global South countries.

At least 65 countries were represented at the Summit which closed on Thursday.