Xi arrives in South Africa for state visit, BRICS summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in South Africa Monday for a state visit to promote bilateral ties and for a summit of BRICS countries.

After arrival here, Xi traveled to Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, for talks with the country's leaders.

On Tuesday, he is expected to meet his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma on the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership established between the two countries in 2010.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 15 years ago, the two countries have maintained frequent high-level visits, enhanced political mutual trust, deepened cooperation in various fields and coordinated smoothly on major international and regional issues.

From Pretoria, Xi will fly to the port city of Durban for the fifth summit of BRICS, an emerging-economy group which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Under the theme of "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Development, Integration and Industrialization," the BRICS summit will for the first time be joined by African leaders for promotion of regional development and integration.

The BRICS countries account for 42 percent of the world's population, 20 percent of the world's gross domestic product and 15 percent of global trade.