The relationship between China and Brazil has become more influential across the globe, said Li Jinzhang, the Chinese Ambassador to the South American nation. He made the remarks last week, while attending a seminar in Brazil to discuss Sino-Brazilian ties, the Chinese embassy said in a statement.

“The relationship [between China and Brazil] has gone beyond the scope of bilateral ties with its growing impact from a global and strategic perspective,” Mr Li said in the seminar.

The visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang last month to four Latin American countries, including Brazil, reflects the fact the nations “pay high attention to bilateral ties,” he noted.

“It is rare in the history of the diplomatic relationship between China and Latin America that the Chinese leaders visit the same place in less than a year,” he added, referring to the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Brazil last July.

China has become Brazil’s top trade partner since 2009, with bilateral trade totalling US$77.9 billion last year.