Premier Li urges harnessing China's manufacturing prowess

Premier Li Keqiang takes a ride on the new subway Line 4 with Rio de Janeiro Governor Luiz Fernando de Souza in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 20, 2015. The train is built by China's CNR Corp. [Photo/english.gov.cn]

He encouraged the train and ship building companies to be pioneers in production capacity cooperation between China and Brazil, and hoped more Chinese manufacturers to get the upper hand in fierce global competition.

He enjoyed the ride as the train which started, accelerated, cruised and pulled into the station. He also talked with the driver, who told the Chinese premier that the China-made trains have mature technologies, run stably, and are able to carry more passengers.

Li told Brazilian officials, who accompanied him during the train ride, China has superior technologies and powerful equipment manufacturing capacity in railroad transport, and China-made products are cost-effective and adaptable to various markets.

After taking the boat trip, Li talked with representatives from manufacturing and financial sectors in both China and Brazil. He asked financial institutions to support production capacity cooperation between the two countries.

Premier Li Keqiang meets workers from China's CNR Corp on Wednesday.[Photo/english.gov.cn]

The Chinese side is willing to further cooperate with the Brazilian side in infrastructure construction and equipment manufacturing, which would benefit the both, Li said.

He voiced his hope that the Brazilian government will ensure legitimate rights of Chinese companies, particularly small businesses, and Chinese expatriates in Brazil.

Brazil is the first stop of Li's four-nation Latin America tour, his first to the region since he assumed premiership in 2013. Besides Brazil, he will also visit Colombia, Peru and Chile till May 26.