SANYA, Hainan - South African President Jacob Zuma arrived Wednesday morning in Sanya city of South China's Hainan province to attend the BRICS Leaders Meeting scheduled on Thursday.

It will be the first time for South Africa to attend the summit of the BRICS, which also groups Brazil, Russia, India and China.

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Chinese President Hu Jintao will meet with Zuma on the sidelines of the summit to exchange views on bilateral ties and issues of common concern.

China is now South Africa's largest trade partner. Bilateral trade of the two countries jumped about 60 percent year on year to $25.65 billion in 2010.

President Zuma said earlier in an interview that the grouping of the BRICS will offer huge opportunities for South Africa's trade and economic development.

The BRICS countries accounted for 18 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP) in 2010. Some 42 percent of the world's population live in the five emerging economies.

During the summit, the BRICS leaders will discuss international situation, global economic and financial issues, development affairs and cooperation among BRICS countries.