Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in South Africa for a state visit to promote bilateral ties and to attend a summit of BRICS countries.

The president traveled to Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, for talks with the country’s leaders. From there, Xi Jinping will fly to the port city of Durban for the fifth summit of BRICS countries, a group of emerging-economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

It will be the first time for South Africa to host the BRICS summit since it officially became a member of the group in 2010. Local police say more than 3,000 personnel will provide security at the summit, which is seen as a chance to boost cooperation between leading emerging markets and Africa.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in South Africa for a state visit to promote bilateral ties and to attend a summit of BRICS countries.