Chinese President Xi Jinping's visits to Central Asia and the Middle East and his attendance at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi represent a major diplomatic initiative directed toward the Global South during the opening year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while briefing the press on President Xi's attendance at the 18th BRICS Summit in India from September 12 to 13.

Wang said the visit holds strategic importance for steering high-quality "greater BRICS Cooperation" and advancing the collective strength of the Global South.