BEIJING - President Xi Jinping held talks with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Beijing on Friday.

Xi welcomed Lula for his state visit to China and expressed his great pleasure to meet an old friend in the warm spring of Beijing. Xi congratulated Lula on the strong start of his government.

He also expressed his sincere sympathy in person to Lula who had to postpone his visit due to an ailment. Xi said that he is truly heartened to see Lula fully recovered, and appreciated the high importance Lula attaches to the bilateral relationship by traveling long distances to China soon after his recovery.

Xi pointed out that China and Brazil are the two biggest developing countries and emerging markets in the Eastern and Western hemispheres, respectively. As comprehensive strategic partners, China and Brazil share extensive common interests.

China always views and develops relations with Brazil from a strategic and long-term perspective, and sees the relationship as a high priority on its diplomatic agenda, he said.