(Reuters) – China is keen to grow the group of emerging countries known as BRICS in the wake of the largest shakeup in more than a decade. This was stated by a top Chinese diplomat on Thursday.

Brazil, India, China, and Brazil formed the first bloc in 2009. South Africa later joined in 2010.

China proposes to initiate the BRICS expansion. It will also explore the procedures and criteria for expansion and form a gradual consensus,” Wang Yi (China’s foreign minister and state councillor) said at an online meeting of BRICS foreign minsters.