The President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has arrived in the Chinese city of Shanghai, according to footage released by the Brazilian presidency, AFP reported.

Thus, Lula da Silva begins his visit to China, where he will meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping tomorrow.

The head of state of Brazil is accompanied by his wife Rosangela da Silva.

Upon their arrival, the two were met by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng.

This official visit to the country, which is Brazil's main trading partner, was originally planned for March 25-31, but was postponed because President Lula, 77, fell ill with pneumonia.

We will strengthen our ties with China.

I will invite Xi Jinping to Brazil for a bilateral meeting to show him the projects for which we want to attract Chinese investment, Lula said Monday night on public radio "Voz do Brasil".

Lula is leading a delegation of about 40 leading political figures, including 9 ministers, state governors and parliamentarians.

Lula da Silva goes to China

Today, Lula is expected to be present in Shanghai at a ceremony to take over the presidency of the BRICS bank from Dilma Rousseff, the former left-wing president of Brazil.

The BRICS group of countries includes Brazil, China, India, Russia and the Republic of South Africa.

At his meeting with Xi in Beijing tomorrow, Lula is expected to discuss the conflict in Ukraine.

Brazil and China have not imposed sanctions on Russia and hope to play a mediating role in ending the war in Ukraine, AFP notes.

This is the fourth official visit to China by Lula, who in January began his third presidential term after being head of state from 2003 to 2010, BTA adds.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva