The relationship between China and Brazil is one of China’s top priorities in foreign policy, said Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.

He made the remarks in Moscow on Monday when he met with Eduardo Cunha, President of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, on the sidelines of a BRICS Forum held in Russia, Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported. BRICS is an emerging-markets bloc, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

“In recent years, the China-Brazil relationship has witnessed rapid and comprehensive development, with its strategic significance steadily on the rise,” Mr Zhang was quoted as saying. “China has always treated its relations with Brazil as a foreign policy priority”, he added, according to Xinhua’s report.

He also called for closer co-operation between the legislatures of the two countries, hoping the two sides could make full use of various platforms to promote jointly the China-Brazil comprehensive strategic partnership.

Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, visited Brazil last month, unveiling 35 bilateral co-operation deals in trade and investment worth a total of US$53 billion.