Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Monday pressed China to forge closer ties so the world's most powerful developing nations can better stamp their mark on issues of international concern.
In an interview with the China Daily, Lula described Brazil as the "greatest developing country from the West" and China as "the greatest developing country of the Eastern hemisphere".
"Brazil and China share the vision of an international order which is more just and equitable, based on multi-polarity and on the respect of the international law," said the left-wing leader.
"This convergence of views opens the possibility that we can develop a growing co-ordination together with other developing countries so that our interests are taken into account in the discussions of the great international issues."
Lula, on the second day of an official four-day visit to China that he has said could be the most important trip of his presidential term, met Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao at the Great Hall of the People for an hour Monday.
"I believe this visit will definitely increase understanding and trust between the two countries and push forward the strategic partnership between China and Brazil," said Hu.
Lula said the two countries shared many mutual interests and should form a broad alliance.
The have already had some success against the rich world.
They joined forces last year to launch the G-20 group of developing nations that brought World Trade Organisation talks in Cancun, Mexico, to a standstill over demands that rich countries eliminate farm subsidies.
They also opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq.
Lula heads to Shanghai Tuesday where he will attend a World Bank-backed conference on poverty reduction, one of the key aims of the G-20 bloc.
Bilaterally, he is keen to boost exports to China to help Brazil's struggling economy, and has brought with him a large business delegation.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2004

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