Brazil: Lula postpones the start of his visit to China due to mild pneumonia

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been forced to postpone until March 26, the start of his visit to China due to mild pneumonia, according to a message on the President’s official Twitter account.

“The President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is in [the Brazilian municipality of] Alvorada after being examined last night at the Sírio-Libanês hospital. The President has mild pneumonia and, as a result, will postpone the start of his trip to China until Sunday [March 26],” reads the corresponding tweet.

As initially planned, Lula was to leave for China on March 25 with a delegation of about 30 lawmakers and ministers and more than 200 business people and stay in the Asian country until the 31.

Previously, Lula stated that the trip to China would be essential to expand relations between the two countries.

At least 20 agreements are expected to be signed during the visit in health, agriculture, education, finance, industry, science, and technology.

In addition, Lula is expected to discuss peace negotiations with the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, to end the Ukraine conflict.

Xi was in Moscow on March 20-21 on a state visit, his first trip abroad after re-election for a third term as President.

On March 20, the Chinese leader held an informal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and on March 21, Russian-Chinese talks were held with the participation of delegations.

With information from Sputnik