China will hold the rotating chair of the emerging-market bloc of BRICS (Brazil,
Russia, India, China and South Africa) next year and host its ninth summit in
the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen in September, President Xi Jinping
announced on Oct 16.
China expects to work with all parties concerned
to implement the consensuses reached at previous summits, deepen their
partnerships and write a new chapter for the BRICS cooperation, Xi said at the
eighth BRICS summit in the western Indian state of Goa.
Xiamen, a
tourist resort on the southeast coast of China, is known for its mild climate
and beautiful scenery.
Xi served as vice mayor of Xiamen in the 1980s.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.