China’s Xi flies to Russia for BRICS summit

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China’s President Xi Jinping on Tuesday flew to Russia for a summit of the BRICS economic bloc.

The 16th BRICS summit will open in the city of Kazan, to be hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Senior Communist Party of China member Cai Qi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will accompany Xi on the trip until Thursday.

Xi is expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, which will likely focus on key issues including financing, technology, food trade, and expanding the bloc's membership.

Being held in the semi-autonomous Russian Republic of Tatarstan, the event is expected to draw representatives from 32 countries, including 24 state leaders, according to the Kremlin.

BRICS, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, recently expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.

Putin said 34 countries, including Türkiye, have expressed interest in joining the bloc.

Experts anticipate the summit will place significant focus on BRICS expansion, with Russian officials noting its adaptability and long-standing agenda of growth.