Brazil President Lula da Silva Cancels China Trip Due to Pneumonia

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the president of Brazil, has canceled his trip to China due to pneumonia, the presidential palace announced on Saturday, AP reports.

The 77-year-old president was diagnosed with "bacterial and viral bronchopneumonia due to influenza A" after being admitted to a hospital in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia with flu-like symptoms, according to a statement released by the palace citing a doctor's note.

The doctor's letter stated that the socialist leader's condition had improved but that he should "postpone the trip to China until the cycle of viral transmission ends." His press secretary later verified the trip's cancellation.

The palace announced that the Chinese government had been notified "with the reiteration of the desire to schedule the visit on a new date."

Lula's multi-day visit to China had been scheduled to begin on Friday or Saturday but was postponed on Friday.

Brazil President Lula da Silva Supposed to Travel with Huge Delegates

Six cabinet ministers, governors, lawmakers, and 240 business leaders were traveling with him.

Over a third of the business leaders came from Brazil's agricultural sector, which exports the country's abundant meat, soybeans, and wood pulp to China, said Reuters.

Now that Lula's China trip has been scrapped, all eyes will be on Brazil when they unveil their long-awaited fiscal framework, which was scheduled to be disclosed by Finance Minister Fernando Haddad in March but was pushed back at Lula's request.

Haddad was supposed to go to China with Lula, but his press office said he would no longer go.

Lula obtained congressional approval for a multibillion-real package that bypasses the constitutional expenditure cap to expand social spending and fulfill campaign pledges. The new framework is seen as critical to addressing fiscal issues.

China Sends Warm Thoughts to Brazil President Lula da Silva Following Postponed Trip

After Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had to cancel a planned visit to China because of pneumonia, the Chinese government showed its sympathy and sent him well wishes, according to Global Times.

Lula received a sympathy letter from China President Xi Jinping on Sunday over his contracting pneumonia and the flu.

After hearing the news of Lula's sickness and the subsequent postponement of his travel to China, Xi sent a telegram expressing his deepest condolences and hoping for a rapid recovery.

A bright trajectory for China-Brazil trade and investment has already been set, so experts believe this delay will continue communications and interactions between the business circles of the two nations, which are now on schedule.

"The Brazilian side has notified the Chinese side of the decision to postpone President Lula da Silva's visit to China. We understand and respect this decision," the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

The statement continued by saying that President Lula da Silva is in China's thoughts and that he is wished for a swift recovery.

The Chinese side will keep in touch with Brazil on the visit.

Meanwhile, Chinese analysts predict extensive collaboration between China and Brazil in the technological sphere, particularly in internet technology, civil aviation, and new energy, because both countries recognize the immense potential of technological advancement for national growth.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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