An attendant stands next to South African, Indian, Russian, Brazilian and Chinese flags during a plenary session of BRICS Summit in Xiamen, China, Sept 4, 2017. (PHOTO / AP)

BEIJING - China supports South Africa in hosting a successful BRICS leaders summit this year, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said here on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: BRICS ministers eye enhanced ties for sustainable urbanization

Wang made the remarks at a news briefing in response to a media inquiry that South Africa is allegedly considering switching the venue of the upcoming summit of BRICS leaders to China or Mozambique, in a move that would resolve its dilemma over whether to carry out an international arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"I am not aware of what you said. We have noted that South Africa already issued a notice to grant diplomatic immunities to attendees of the upcoming BRICS Summit," said Wang.

ALSO READ: BRICS Women's Leadership Forum held in Beijing

China attaches great importance to the progress of BRICS cooperation and supports this year's host country South Africa in hosting a successful summit and sending a positive message of solidarity and cooperation, Wang added.