The Minister of Foreign Relations, Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, carried out an official visit to China, on March 3 and 4 (today and yesterday), opportunity in which he maintained meetings with the Vice-President, Xi Jinping, with Chancellor Yang Jiechi, and with the Minister of Trade, Chen Deming.

According to the Itamaraty, the mission is inserted in the context of the preparation for the visit of State that the president of the Republic will make to China, on April 13, 14 and 15, and of her participation in the Third Summit of the BRICs, to happen in the Chinese Province of Hainan.

The ministry of Foreign Relations informed that during the meetings with the Chinese authorities, the Brazilian chancellor would discuss the main subjects of the bilateral agenda (trade, investments and cooperation in science and technology), as well as international questions of common interest.

Brazil has just handed over the presidency of the U.N. Security Council to China.

The Brazilian businessmen complain that the low price of the Chinese products damages the national market. Patriota said that there are articulations to close more partnerships, involving exports of Brazilian iron ore and steel.

According to the Chamber of Trade Brazil-China, the commercial relations between the two countries grew in the last years 47.5 percent (per year), tendency that happens again in the relations of China with several countries of emergent economy.

China is the greatest commercial partner of Brazil, with exchange of US$ 56 billions in 2010, representing a growth of 55.1 percent regarding 2009.

The commercial balance is favorable to Brazil, having reached more than US$ 5 billions last year.

In 2010, China was the greatest foreign investor in Brazil.

From China, the Minister of Foreign Relations follows to India and Sri Lanka.