Brasília--Chinese Premier Li Keqiang began a three-day visit to Brazil on Monday where he was to unveil a $50 billion investment package during talks in Brasilia with President Dilma Rousseff.
Chinese investment is a huge boon for Brazil as the world's seventh-largest economy endures a fifth straight year of low growth after a period of rapid expansion fueled by Chinese demand for commodities.
Brazil hopes to use Beijing's cash to overhaul decaying infrastructure as the country's tourist magnet Rio de Janeiro prepares to host South America's first ever Olympics next year.
Li will visit Rio on Wednesday, when he will see for himself some of China's investment in the city, including delivery of the first Chinese-built trains for a new metro line due to open next year and catamarans to transport thousands of people per day around picturesque Guanabara Bay.
On Thursday, Li will continue a Latin American swing designed to increase Chinese influence in the region, heading to Colombia before visiting Peru and Chile.
His tour comes days after Beijing signed accords worth $25 billion with Russia and $22 billion with India.
AFP
