The Civil Aviation Administration of China and the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil have struck an agreement to cooperate, the Chinese authority says.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China issued a written statement saying Chinese and Brazilian officials signed the agreement during a visit to Brazil by the Deputy Administrator of the Chinese authority, Li Jian.

The statement says the officials discussed the prospects for general aviation and the difficulties it faced, and ways of reforming the sector.

Mr Li inspected Brazilian air traffic control facilities and talked with representatives of a helicopter company to find out how the Brazilian aviation business is developing, says the Civil Aviation Administration of China.