XIAMEN: The BRICS group of countries must promote trade liberalisation and an open world economy, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Sunday.

The countries of BRICS ? which groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa ? should explore ways to innovate economically, Xi said at the start of a BRICS summit in the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen.

The summit is expected to reach consensus on opposing trade protectionism, China?s Vice Trade Minister Wang Shouwen said earlier on Sunday.

The BRICS countries have enormous potential in e-commerce cooperation, Wang added.