President Hu Jintao visited Brazil's space technology center yesterday, where the satellites of a joint space research program are built.
Hu toured the National Space Research Institute in Sao Jose dos Campos, 85 kilometers northeast of Sao Paulo, and got a look at the birthplace of the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellites, or CBERS.
The CBERS-2 is now in orbit, monitoring destruction of the Amazon rainforest, water resources, farming and urban growth. The two nations plan to launch two more satellites by 2008.
Later, Hu visited the headquarters of aircraft manufacturer Embraer, a world leader in the regional jet market.
Hu arrived in Brazil on Thursday and met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia, the capital. Brazil recognized China as a market economy, a much sought-after goal that improves the nation's standing in the World Trade Organization.
In return, China agreed to increase its imports of Brazilian chicken and beef.
China-Brazil trade volume hit US$9.3 billion in the first nine months of this year, surpassing the figure for all of 2003.
Hu pledged to push forward the Sino-Brazilian strategic partnership.
Addressing the Brazilian National Congress in Brasilia over the weekend, Hu said the partnership would not only contribute to the prosperity of the two countries, but also promote world peace and development.
China and Brazil established diplomatic relations 30 years ago.
Later yesterday, Hu met with members of the Chinese community in Sao Paulo, Brazil's biggest city. He had dinner with Sao Paulo state Governor Geraldo Alkmin.
Hu and his delegation will fly to Argentina early today.