President Xi Jinping meets with his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, Sept 4, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

As South Africa will take over the presidency of BRICS next year, China will coordinate closely with South Africa, President Xi Jinping told his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma on Monday.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Xiamen of Fujian province. They will also attend a dialogue between emerging market countries and developing countries.

Both countries should strengthen their coordination among international and regional groupings such as the BRICS, the Group of 20, the United Nations and the African Union, Xi said.

Zuma said he appreciates China's excellent preparations for the BRICS Summit this year, and South Africa is ready for mutual support with China to ensure the success of each other's hosting the BRICS Summit.

Speaking on bilateral ties, Xi noted that in recent years, the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership has maintained a strong momentum of development and the relationship is in its best shape of all time.

China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with South Africa, constantly enrich the connotation of the comprehensive strategic partnership with more cooperation outcomes, and achieve common development and progress, Xi said.

Currently, China and South Africa have made positive progress in all respects of their friendly cooperation, and their pragmatic cooperation has been carried out smoothly, Xi said.