A centerpiece of Premier Li’s visit is a proposed agreement on a trans-oceanic railway project, first raised by President Xi Jinping during his visit to Brazil last July.

The 5,000-kilometre railway aims to connect South America’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts via Brazil and Peru. The route would allow commodities such as soybean and iron ore to be transported more quickly to major ports in Brazil, and from Peru to Asia by bypassing the Panama Canal, which is controlled by US-led political and economic systems.

Brazil’s deputy foreign minister for Asian affairs said he believes the project will create a win-win situation for Brazil’s exports, at the same time help China’s infrastructure companies to find a new market in Brazil.