The University of São Paulo in Brazil and two institutions in China, Shenzhen University and the Belt and Road Research Institute, have agreed to set up the China-Brazil Research Centre for Innovation and Competitiveness, the Brazilian partner says.

The University of São Paulo announced in writing that the agreement was signed last week.

The centre will form joint research groups, offer postgraduate and post-doctoral programmes, and serve as a place where Brazilian and Chinese innovators can swap information and present opportunities, the announcement says.

It quotes University of São Paulo Dean Vahan Agopyan as saying the centre will do research into applying electronic technology on farms and in cities, economic exploitation of biotechnology, international relations and public policy.

Shenzhen University Vice-president Zhang Xiaohong hopes the universities can eventually form a broader partnership, the University of São Paulo says.