Leaders of the world's two largest developing countries in the Eastern and Western hemispheres met in Beijing on Friday to discuss the future and long-term cooperation. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro at the Great Hall of the People. This is Bolsonaro's first state visit to China and this year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

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Over the 45 years, the two sides have developed a friendship based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, President Xi said, adding that China's policy to develop relations with Brazil from a strategic height and long-term perspective remains unchanged.

The mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries will embrace a brighter future, Xi said.

President Xi called for both countries to make each other a diplomatic priority and said he hoped to see the two sides further promote their comprehensive strategic partnership. China has always respected Latin Americans for choosing their own development path, he said, adding that China will also support the integration in Latin America.

We should be friends that support each other, Xi said, adding that he hoped to see more cooperation in areas including agriculture, energy, aerospace and infrastructure. He urged both sides to make technological innovation and digital economies the next priority for cooperation.

China is willing to import more qualified and high value-added products from Brazil, President Xi said.

For his part, Brazilian president Bolsonaro spoke highly of the relationship between the two countries, calling China Brazil's "great partner of cooperation." 

He said Brazil has made ties with China a priority and noted that China has become Brazil's biggest trading partner.

Brazil is willing to work together with China and further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, the Brazilian president said, adding that development benefits people from both sides.

Bolsonaro also invited more companies to invest in Brazil's infrastructure and energy sectors, adding that he would like more Chinese tourists to travel to his country.

Brazil is willing to safeguard multilateralism and free trade along with China, he said.

Earlier in the day, Bolsonaro attended the China-Brazil Cooperation Forum with Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua. 

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