China wants to “actively participate” in the latest 198.4 billion reais (US$64.1 billion) infrastructure plan announced by the Brazilian government last month, said Chinese Ambassador to Brazil Li Jinzhang. His remarks were made in an opinion article published by Brazil’s newspaper Correio Braziliense last week.

“China has vast abilities in infrastructure with many enterprises experienced for many years at working and managing overseas infrastructure projects,” Mr Li said.

“China is willing to actively participate in the Brazilian infrastructure investment plan, offering high-quality products and services, exchanging experiences with Brazil, thereby helping Brazil lower the project costs to improve its infrastructure”, he added.

The South American nation announced last month it planned to tap 198.4 billion reais of private investment between 2015 and 2018 to modernise its airports, highways, ports and railways. A proposed Brazil to Peru railway line, which China has pledged to help in construction, was included in the programme.

Mr Li also said the two nations were preparing to set up a special committee for bilateral co-operation in “production capacity”, as well as drawing up a list of specific projects for collaboration in the areas of logistics, energy, minerals, manufacturing and agricultural products processing.

The Sino-Brazilian co-operation in production capacity “welcomes the participation of any third party”, as this “will not only create mutual benefits between China and Brazil but also bring benefits to other nations in the world”, the ambassador said.

Last week Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang visited Brasília, agreeing to launch a US$20 billion fund with Brazil to enhance their co-operation in production capacity.