On September 23, 2011, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi attended a meeting of foreign ministers from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) and met respectively with his Russian and Nigerian counterparts in New York.
During the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Yang noted that great progress has been achieved in the cooperation among BRICS countries since 2011, and that the organization's prospects are good. He said the BRICS countries should fully implement the Sanya Declaration and the action plan issued at the BRICS Leaders Meeting in April 2011, deepen coordination and cooperation in major international issues and make good preparations for the fourth meeting of leaders from BRICS countries.
The foreign ministers of the five BRICS countries agreed to further enhance practical cooperation and improve coordination in international affairs. They also exchanged views on the issues of Libya, Syria, the Palestine-Israel conflict, the international financial system reform, climate change, sustainable development and anti-terrorism.
During his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Yang said under the current complex and volatile international situation, China is willing to further promote its bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with Russia, prepare for high-level exchanges this year and enhance cooperation with Russia in the United Nations (UN) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to properly handle hotspot and global issues. Lavrov said Russia attaches great importance to bilateral relations with China and is willing to further promote strategic cooperation with China in all areas and at all levels. The two ministers agreed to solve the Syria issue through dialogue and peaceful consultation. They also exchanged views on the Palestine-Israel conflict, Afghanistan, the upcoming Cannes G20 Summit and the East Asia Summit.
During talks with Nigerian Foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru, Yang noted that both sides have enjoyed increasing political trust, expanding economic and trade cooperation and sound cooperation in international and regional affairs. China is ready to work with Nigeria to further enrich strategic partnership, push for the smooth development of economic and trade cooperation within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), promote the development of the new China-Africa strategic partnership and support the positive role of the African Union in ensuring the peace and stability of Africa. Ashiru said Nigeria cherishes the traditional friendship with China, continues to adhere to the one-China policy and hopes to further strengthen bilateral ties. Nigeria welcomes China's investment and hopes to enhance cooperation with China in such multilateral organizations as the United Nations and the FOCAC to promote world peace and security. They also discussed several issues, including the Durban Climate Change Conference.
Yang also attended a working breakfast in the morning, where UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met foreign ministers from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
