Amid COVID battle, China pledges to bolster economies of four nations, including Russia

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech via video at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum, in Beijing, June 22, 2022. (CNSphoto via Reuters)

TAIPEI: Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged this week to help advance four economic powers, despite pandemic problems at home and knock-on effects from Russia’s war in Ukraine. Analysts expect the pledges to take time, with no immediate results.