China's top legislator Wu Bangguo's visit to Brazil was an important step in the development of relations between the two countries, President of the Brazil-China Chamber of Trade and Industry (CCIBC) Charles Tang said Wednesday.

In an interview with Xinhua, Tang said the two countries' interest in boosting their relations had increased following President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas' visit to China in 2004. He added that a delegation of Brazilian businessmen had accompanied President Lula during the visit.

He also said trade between Brazil and China has increased dramatically over recent years, predicting the volume would reach 17 billion U.S. dollars in 2006, up from 14.8 billion dollars in 2005.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress, arrived in Brazil Tuesday afternoon for an official and goodwill visit. He was accompanied by a group of representatives of Chinese companies.

Source: Xinhua