BEIJING, November 21. /TASS/. China, along with other BRICS members, will support Russia's chairmanship of the organization next year, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the extraordinary BRICS online summit on the Middle East.

"Russia will chair BRICS next year. China is willing to cooperate with other members to support Russia's efforts and create a new era of BRICS cooperation," Xi said.

The Chinese leader called the BRICS cooperation mechanism "an important platform for emerging markets and developing countries to strengthen unity and cooperation and safeguard common interests."

South Africa holds the rotating presidency of BRICS in 2023.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking part in the summit. Participating in the event alongside the host country, are representatives from Brazil, Russia, India and China, and also those countries which are to become full members of the association starting from January 1 next year: Argentina, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, too, is participating in the meeting.