An association of Brazilian private universities, ABMES, and the Beijing Language and Culture University in China have agreed to engage in cultural and academic exchanges, ABMES announced on Tuesday.

The association issued a written announcement quoting its head, Celso Niskier, as saying he hopes the agreement will encourage Brazilian private universities to form partnerships with Chinese universities.

The announcement quotes Evandro Montes, financial director of Inapós, a private university in Minas Gerais state, as saying ABMES members should encourage their staff to go on exchanges to Chinese universities that teach the Portuguese language.

The exchange agreement was signed in Beijing during a two-week tour of China by a 40-strong party representing members of the association, who are also visiting Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau, ABMES says.