Recife -- A Chinese mission from Guangzhou municipality visited Recife, capital of the state of Pernambuco this weekend as part of a cooperation exchange program that has been in place since 2001 in the areas of commerce, tourism, culture and social activities. The mission is led by Zhang Guangnig, the mayor, who will sign further cooperation agreement contracts with João Paulo, mayor of Recife. A delegation from Recife is scheduled to visit China at the beginning of next year in another stage of cooperation between the two cities.

Guangzhou is China's third largest city, with a population of 10.5 million. It is located 182 kilometers from Hong Kong and is known as the city of flowers.

Meanwhile the Chinese minister of Education, Zhou Ji, was in São Paulo last week working on cooperation agreements in the areas of education and research. This week he will be in Brasilia for an education congress (Educação para Todos), which is promoted by Unesco. Zhou Ji said he was in Brazil also as part of preparations for the visit by the president of China which begins later this week.

Agência Brasil
Reporters: Márcia Wonghon and Marcelo Gutierres
Translator: Allen Bennett
11/8/2004