2nd LD Writethru: Chinese premier arrives in Brazil for official visit

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived here Monday for an official visit to Brazil at the invitation of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

Upon his arrival, Li said China and Brazil are influential developing countries with deep friendship, complementarity in economic structures and compatibility in development strategies, and both are striving to develop economy and improve people's livelihood.

China, Li said, always views China-Brazil relations from strategic and long-term perspectives, highly values Brazil's economic and social achievements, and is fully confident of the future of the bilateral relationship.

He said he wishes to conduct in-depth exchanges of views with Brazilian leaders on further increasing mutual political trust, deepening practical cooperation and enhancing cultural and people-to-people exchanges, with a focus on cooperation in production capacity, equipment manufacturing, infrastructure construction, and trade and investment.

He said he is also looking forward to communicating with the Brazilian side on issues such as BRICS cooperation, climate change, international financial cooperation and China-Latin America relations, in order to safeguard and promote the common interest of emerging-market economies and developing countries.

The Chinese premier expressed confidence that the China-Brazil comprehensive strategic partnership will be further advanced.

Latin America has made great contribution to human civilization and progress of human society and is playing a significant role in the current development of the world, Li said.

In recent years, he said, China and Latin America have made great development in their relations, establishing a comprehensive partnership featuring equality, mutual benefit and common prosperity.

Li voiced hope that his visit will enhance China-Latin America exchanges, strengthen traditional friendship, push forward cooperation in production capacity, promote two-way trade and investment, and build an upgraded version of comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation.

During his stay in Brazil, Li will hold talks with Rousseff and attend a joint press conference. The two will also attend a video ground-breaking ceremony for the ultra-high voltage electricity transmission project in the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam.

Besides, Li will meet with Brazilian parliamentary leaders and attend the closing ceremony of a bilateral business summit. He will also go to Rio De Janeiro and visit Chinese equipment manufacturing exhibitions.

Li is here after a transit visit to Ireland. Brazil is the first stop of Li's four-nation Latin America tour, his first to the region since he assumed premiership in 2013. Besides Brazil, Li will also visit Colombia, Peru and Chile. Endi