Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday urged the BRICS members to build an open world economy and boost common development.

The emerging-market bloc should maintain multilateral trading system and push for more international support for African countries, said Xi.

He put forward the proposals at an informal meeting with leaders from Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa, ahead of the G20 summit in the German port city of Hamburg.

Chinese President Xi Jinping presides over an informal meeting with leaders from Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa in Hamburg, Germany on July 7, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Xi called on the five countries to consolidate the role of the G20 mechanism as the premier platform for international economic cooperation.

This year's G20 summit comes at a time when international political and economic circumstances are undergoing profound readjustment, said Xi.

Xi called on BRICS members to support Germany as the G20 host to send a positive signal to the world on building an open global economy and stabilizing growth.

He also said member countries should take full advantage of multilateral mechanisms like the UN and champion peaceful settlement of regional conflicts and disputes.

The five BRICS leaders discussed the global economy and priorities of this year's G20 summit and agreed to strengthen BRICS unity and coordination.

Meanwhile, the leaders pledged to work together for positive results at this year's BRICS summit, which is themed "Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future", and which takes place in September in the eastern Chinese city of Xiamen.

(With input from Xinhua)