BUENOS AIRES 

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will pay a state visit to China later this month following an invitation by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazil's Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

The ministry in a statement said Lula, who will be in China from March 26-31, is scheduled to meet Xi, Prime Minister Li Qiang and President of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji in the capital Beijing.

The leaders are expected to discuss bilateral agenda on trade, investment, reindustrialization, energy transition, climate change, and world peace and security.

Lula is also scheduled to visit the New Development Bank headquarters, previously known as the BRICS Development Bank, in Shanghai.

The state-run Agencia Brasil news agency said at least 20 trade deals are expected to be signed during the visit, with 200 business people across sectors and 90 people from the agricultural sector joining.

The visit will be Lula's third official trip to China, following previous ones in 2004 and 2009.

China is a large importer of Brazilian products, mainly agricultural produce.

Since 2009, China has been Brazil's biggest trading partner and one of the main foreign investors in the South American nation.

In 1993, both nations established a strategic partnership, which was elevated to comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012.

Brazil and China will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2024.