The China-Brazil Cultural and Technological Exhibition has opened in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, China Radio International (CRI) reports.

The Chinese state-run radio station says the exhibition occupies 490 square metres of floor space.

The report quotes Chinese Consul-General in Rio de Janeiro Li Yang as saying the event may help Brazilians understand the part Chinese companies play in the economic development of their country.

The report says nine Chinese companies and the Rio branch of the Confucius Institute arranged the event.

It quotes State Grid Corp. of China Chief Executive Chang Zhongjiao as saying his company, which is among the nine, has sponsored over 450 projects to protect the Brazilian intangible cultural heritage.

The exhibition may turn out to be a watershed in Sino-Brazilian cultural engagement, CRI quotes a Rio city official, Daniele Barros, as saying.