On an official visit to China, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Thursday that Brazil will no longer require visas for tourists or businessmen from China and India. 

Bolsonaro's first state visit to China coincides with the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

He said the two countries should work together for their mutual benefit and Brazil would welcome more Chinese tourists. According to Reuters, the Brazilian government ended visa requirements for tourists and businessmen from the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia earlier this year. China is the first developing country in the world that this rule applies to. Specific measures over the visa exemptions have to be worked out.

According to Brazil's Ministry of tourism, about 6.6 million tourists visited Brazil in 2018 and the number is expected to rise to 12 million by 2022. Brazil receives an average of 65,000 Chinese tourists every year, with each spending about 65 U.S. dollars per day. 

The top destinations include Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Iguassu and Manaus. According to Marcelo, Brazil's tourism minister, Chinese tourists' annual arrivals are expected to increase to 600,000 in the next few years.