Governor Eduardo Leite of Rio Grande do Sul is hoping for more economic engagement between the southern Brazilian state and China, the Chinese Embassy in Brasilia says.

The embassy issued a written statement quoting the governor as saying so when he met Chinese Ambassador to Brazil Yang Wanming last week.

The statement quotes Mr Leite as saying Rio Grande do Sul sells China farm products, while China invests in infrastructure in his state.

Mr Leite said Rio Grande do Sul could better exploit its situation in the extreme south of Brazil and its business environment to increase its economic engagement with China.

Cooperation by China and states such as Rio Grande do Sul may strengthen the Sino-Brazilian partnership, the Chinese Embassy in Brasilia quotes Mr Yang as saying during a visit to the Brazilian state.