South Africa expects the BRICS to deepen partnerships within its members as well as broadening cooperation to areas beyond as the bloc is entering its second 10 years, a senior diplomat said.

"Over the past decade, BRICS has provided an alternative voice to the international economic and political situation while strengthening the global order and upholding the principle of multilateralism and the centrality of the United Nations," the South African embassy's economic counselor, Thandukwazi Nyawose, told China Daily.

"It is the voice of the underdeveloped or developing countries," he said.

In recent years, a series of challenges, including sluggish global growth and major economies diverging their monetary policies, have led to a wave of anti-globalization and trade protectionism.

"This calls on BRICS nations to play a significant role in building inclusive societies," Nyawose added.

South Africa officially joined BRICS in 2010.

Though it is among the most developed economies in Africa, he said, "we cannot be an island of prosperity in this sea of poverty".

Therefore, he regards the opening of the Africa Regional Center of the New Development Bank in Johannesburg this month as a major achievement.

"The ARC will contribute to Africa's industrialization programs ranging from infrastructure to energy, and even water services," he said.

Nyawose also said the BRICS should expand trade and investment links within the bloc.

China is the largest trading partner of South Africa, with bilateral trade reaching $35.34 billion last year. But China is not South Africa's top investment partner.

"We should be the largest trading and investment partners among ourselves," he said, "and there should be an exchange of views on this issue during the Xiamen summit".

According to the economic counselor, the South Africa delegation will lead representatives from more than 70 companies to attend the Xiamen summit, and four cooperative agreements in areas of financing, trade and e-commerce are expected to be signed.

"We are still waiting for the final number; we can bring as many as possible, but the space is limited," he said.

Actually, Nyawose's home province, KwaZulu-Natal, where Africa's busiest port is located, has a sister relationship with Fujian province.

"Our embassy is working hard to revive the partnership between these two coastal provinces," he said.

mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/02/2017 page2)