Chinese President Xi Jinping is in South Africa for his first visit to Africa in five years – part of which he will spend attending the Brics summit of major emerging economies.
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Mr Xi, who is also paying a state visit, arrived in Johannesburg on Monday night and was welcomed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The pair are meeting on Tuesday morning ahead of the main summit in the afternoon, and are expected to sign bilateral agreements on trade and energy.
Also on Tuesday, Mr Xi will co-chair the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue with Mr Ramaphosa on the side-lines of the summit. There is a surge of interest in Brics membership, with more than 20 countries – including Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and Argentina – applying to join the group, which could emerge as a potential challenger to perceived Western dominance in world affairs.
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This year’s summit will look at whether to admit new members. A total of 69 countries have been invited to the broader Brics summit in South Africa, including all African states.