The Presidents of China and Brazil have agreed to strengthen bilateral co-operation in a number of areas, including dealing with the threat of global warming, Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

The Chinese President, Xi Jinping, and his Brazilian counterpart, Dilma Rousseff, met on Monday in Paris, on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Mr Xi urged – as quoted by Xinhua – both countries to expand industrial investment co-operation in fields including energy, agriculture, infrastructure and manufacturing. China and Brazil could also work closely on tackling climate change, he said.

Mr Xi added the two sides could also boost bilateral trade and enhance financial co-operation. He also stressed China was willing to deepen what was referred to as political and strategic mutual trust with the South American nation.

Ms Rousseff said she was happy to see the progress achieved in major co-operation projects including transportation and port construction. The Brazilian President added she hoped the two nations could enhance their co-operation on agriculture and logistics.

Ms Rousseff added Brazil and China shared similar histories and common interests on climate change. She added Brazil was ready to enhance co-operation with China regarding the Paris conference agenda.