Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that, as temporary president of the bloc, Beijing supports friendship with new members and also cooperation within the “BRICS us” platform.

He added that the leaders of Russia, India, Brazil, South Africa and China discussed this issue on June 23, as well as the standards and procedures to increase the number of members.

Zhao recalled that, since its foundation, the BRICS has always been in contact with other emerging markets and now he is clear about the importance of strengthening cooperation in order to enhance its weight in international scenarios, deal with the turbulence of today’s world and protect development interests.

During the summit of the bloc’s leaders the previous week, presidents of Argentina and Iran announced their willingness to join this economic-commercial bloc of the five most important emerging economies in the world.

The BRICS is made up of Russia, India, Brazil, South Africa and China, and was founded in 2009 to give its members a voice and promote a new international financial order.

Its member states share the common characteristics of having a large population, vast territory and significant amount of natural resources.

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