BEIJING, Aug 18 (AFP) - Chinese leader Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to South Africa next week, the foreign ministry said on Friday, while confirming the president will attend the BRICS summit in Johannesburg.

"At the invitation of President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, President Xi Jinping will attend the 15th BRICS Summit to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa and pay a state visit to South Africa from August 21 to 24," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in an online statement.