China and Brazil have struck an agreement to issue visas that make it easier for the people of each country to visit the other, with a view to increasing tourism, the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism has announced.

The ministry says on its website that the multiple-entry tourist visas, good for a 90-day visit every 12 months, will be valid for 5 years.

Brazilian Tourism Minister Marx Beltrão says on the website that his country is aiming to attract 12 million foreign visitors a year by 2022.

“The plan provides for the facilitation of visas precisely to increase this flow of tourists”, the minister says.

Over 130 million Chinese have been abroad, but only 50,000 have been to Brazil.