China Iran photo:VCG

Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Iran for becoming a BRICS member when meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Johannesburg on Thursday on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit. Xi said China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Iran on BRICS and other multilateral platforms to push for a healthy and robust development of multilateralism.
 
Xi said through joint efforts from all relevant parties, the decision to expand the BRICS has been made, which marked a historic event and would have a major influence on the world as the new members are all countries with significant influence.

On Thursday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the BRICS countries have decided to invite six countries -- Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- to become new members.

The BRICS countries welcomed six new members from three different continents, a historical milestone that underscored the solidarity of BRICS and developing countries and determination to work together for a better future, officials and experts said. 

"We are pleased that with the joint efforts of China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iran and Saudi Arabia have achieved reconciliation, which promoted security and stability in the Middle East," Xi pointed out, saying that China is willing to consolidate friendship and mutual trust with Iran, continue to support each other on issues of core interests to promote China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership.

Raisi said Iran appreciated China's support for Iran's formal membership in BRICS, which provided new impetus for the development of China-Iran relations and will also be conducive to better promoting Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi. He also appreciated President Xi for playing an important role in promoting dialogue and reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia.