MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. China intends to closely cooperate with Russia to promote common interests in BRICS due to the expansion of the association, Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said.

"Next year, BRICS will face a very important moment, because some countries will be included in the association," he said at the meeting of the 10th dialogue between the United Russia and the Communist Party of China. "We are ready to strengthen cooperation and coordination with the Russian side to ensure that BRICS develops in the right direction after the expansion, and thus safeguard our common interests within BRICS," the official pointed out.

Liu Jianchao added that the Communist Party of China, together with United Russia, is ready to "assume the historic responsibility and mission to make joint efforts to unify the great efforts to develop Sino-Russian relations in the new era."

Following the BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg on August 22-24, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the expansion of the association. Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia will join BRICS on January 1, 2024.