China and Brazil will sign several co-operation agreements when China’s Premier Li Keqiang visits the South American nation next week.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao and Assistant Minister of Commerce Tong Daochi on Wednesday held a press briefing to explain the details of Mr Li’s four-nation tour to Latin America, including Brazil, from May 18 to 26.

The visit to Brazil “will promote the China-Brazil comprehensive strategic partnership and safeguard the common interests of developing countries,” Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua quoted Mr Wang as saying. The two sides will sign agreements “in politics, economy and trade, finance, technology and agriculture,” he added.

Both nations will also clinch a series of other deals including joint research on “the feasibility of building a railroad connecting the Pacific and the Atlantic,” Mr Tong said. Chinese President Xi Jinping said last year during his visit to Brazil that China hoped to help Brazil build a railway linking that nation to Peru.

During Mr Li’s upcoming visit, China and Brazil will also sign a new joint action plan, renewing and extending the 2010-14 plan between the two countries. The aim is to deepen further the bilateral economic cooperation, Xinhua reported.

China’s investment in Brazil reached US$18.94 billion by end of 2014.

“It is not just about resources. China’s trade with, and investment in, Brazil is showing a tendency of diversification in the areas of manufacturing and aviation,” Mr Tong said.