Foreign ministers from the BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa kicked off a meeting on Thursday in South Africa's Cape Town where they discussed preparation for the upcoming leaders' summit, a potential expansion of the group as well as trade and economic issues.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu attended the two-day meeting, saying China looks forward to welcoming new members to join the BRICS family at an early date.
Ma urged the BRICS countries to uphold the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, continuously deepen pragmatic cooperation and promote high-quality development.
BRICS countries hold a two-day foreign ministers' meeting in Cape Town, South Africa. /Chinese Foreign Ministry
He added BRICS countries should adhere to fairness and justice, adhere to self-confidence, self-reliance, autonomy and self-improvement, strengthen strategic communication and coordination with the majority of developing countries, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Ma pledged China's full support to South Africa's BRICS chairmanship, adding that China is ready to work with BRICS partners to promote the successful outcome of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg.
The BRICS foreign ministers said that under the new situation, it is necessary to strengthen BRICS cooperation, promote the unity and self-improvement of developing countries, promote the change of the global governance system, accelerate the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and contribute to the peaceful development of the world.
They also issued a joint statement setting out their positions and ideas on BRICS cooperation, the international situation and global issues.