Cooperation among BRICS countries is conducive to a more balanced world economy and the improvement of global economic governance, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.

Xi made the remarks in a joint interview in Beijing with media outlets from BRICS countries a week before attending the bloc's fifth leaders' meeting, in Durban, South Africa, on March 26 and 27.

Xi said China expects the meeting to deliver a positive message of "solidarity, cooperation and mutual benefit" to the international community.

The global economic governance system must reflect the profound changes in the world economy, and the representation of emerging economies and developing countries should be increased, he added.

China, as its strength grows, will assume more international responsibilities and obligations within the scope of its capabilities and make greater contributions to world peace and development, Xi said, adding that China will adhere to the path of peaceful development.

This will be the first time the BRICS summit to be held in Africa. South Africa gained entry to the bloc in 2011. Its other four members are Brazil, Russia, India and China.

The theme of the summit is, "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Development, Integration, and Industrialization".

BRICS has become a more comprehensive platform for developing countries, especially with the inclusion of an African country, which has expanded the representation of the group, said Zhong Jianhua, former Chinese ambassador to South Africa

China hopes BRICS will gain greater influence on world affairs with better coordination among the five countries, Zhong said.

The bloc covers 42 percent of the world's population and 21 percent of the world's GDP, and contributed around $2.2 trillion of the world's economic growth in 2012.

China and other BRICS countries are "considered the hope of the world" and the bloc is a platform for emerging economies to pursue development, cooperation and change, said Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Tian Xuejun in an article published in South African newspaper The New Age.

"With enhanced mutual trust and closer coordination, BRICS and African countries will be able to make international relationships more just, democratic and balanced," he said.

On China's relationship with Africa, Xi said China and Africa share broad common interests and their cooperation is mutually beneficial.

China has been Africa's biggest trade partner since 2009.

By the end of 2012, more than 2,000 Chinese enterprises have invested in Africa in areas that include agriculture, telecommunication and energy.

China's direct investment in Africa in 2012 reached $2.91 billion. China appreciates and will never forget the support and help from African countries on issues related to China's core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

He pledged that no matter how the international situation changes, China will continue to support Africa's peace, development and participation in international affairs. Xi also spoke about his upcoming visit to Russia later this week, during which he expects to have an in-depth exchange of views with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

He said the visit shows that China attaches great importance to its relationship with Russia, and also shows the high level and special nature of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries.

Contact the writers at chengguangjin@chinadaily.com.cn and qinzhongwei@chinadaily.com.cn