BEIJING - Think tanks from the BRICS nations on Thursday encouraged the mechanism to expand from the economic arena, three weeks before state leaders of the five emerging economies meet in China for their annual summit.

It is inevitable that the BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - will discuss wider issues rather than just talk about business and trade, said Liu Youfa, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies.

"The five countries have the common purpose of seeking development and prosperity. Such cooperation will, as it deepens, lead to other fields besides business and trade," Liu said at a two-day symposium for more than 60 experts from top think tanks from the five BRICS nations.