BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing Friday morning for state visits to Russia, Tanzania, South Africa and the Republic of Congo.

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, including China, Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa.