Chinese president to embark on four-nation tour

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to Russia, Tanzania, South Africa and the Republic of Congo on March 22-30.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang made the announcement in Beijing on Monday.

Xi is making the visit at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, South African President Jacob Zuma and President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso.

Xi will also attend the fifth leaders' summit of BRICS countries, to be held from March 26 to 27 in Durban, South Africa.

BRICS is an economic bloc representing five of the world's leading emerging economies, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.