Audiences listen to speeches during the event of Vision China in Johannesburg, South Africa July 17, 2018. [Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn]

Thesele John Maseribane, minister of communication, science and technology of Lesotho; Andriamandavy VII Riana, minister of communication and relations with the institutions of Madagascar; and Riaan le Roux, chief operating officer of South Africa’s Department of Trade and Investment, also addressed the event.

Le Roux said his country will work with the international community and BRICS countries to bring down barriers and protect the multilateral trading system amid the fact that the world is faced with multifaceted challenges.

It is expected that this will be the joint signal that BRICS countries will send at the upcoming summit, he said.