BEIJING, Aug. 18, ChinaNews (Xie Yanbing and Guo Kaichao) -- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (MFA) spokesman Wang Wenbin held a regular press conference on August 18.

　　Question from reporters: China announced that President Xi Jinping will fly to South Africa to meet the BRICS leaders this morning. The strengthening of BRICS cooperation and the expansion of the BRICS mechanism have been particularly in the spotlight. What are China's expectations for this meeting?

　　Wang Wenbin: This is the first time in more than three years that a BRICS leaders' meeting has been held offline, and it is also the first time that a BRICS summit has been held in Africa after five years. Since its establishment, the BRICS mechanism has always bear in mind its founding purpose of strengthening ourselves through unity, acted on the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation to continue to deepen practical co-operation in various fields. It has become an important force in promoting global governance reform, and its international influence has been continuously increasing.

　　The meeting will focus on the theme of “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism”, and continue the momentum of good co-operation of last year's BRICS "Chinese New Year" to jointly draw a bright future for the BRICS. On the major challenges in the current international situation, the parties will have an in-depth exchange of views of enhancing coordination on international affairs to inject stability and positive energy into a world full of turmoil and contribute wisdom and strength to world peace and development. The parties will also promote the further advancement of BRICS cooperation, deepen practical cooperation among BRICS countries in the areas of economy and trade, finance, security, humanities and global governance, guide the BRICS mechanism to grow steady long into the future, strengthen dialogue and cooperation between BRICS countries and Africa and other emerging markets and developing countries. In this way, we can advocate multilateralism and aim at development for all.

　　(Source: China News Service)