Chinese leader Xi Jinping met visiting Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday as part of a push to boost ties between two of the world’s largest developing nations.

The meeting came on the second day of Lula’s visit to China, his country’s most important trading partner and a key ally in his bid to challenge western-dominated economic institutions.

Lula was greeted with full military honours, including a 21-gun salute, at the Great Hall of the People adjacent to Tiananmen Square in the heart of the Chinese capital.

Their talks focused largely on trade ties and other forms of cooperation, but also touched on the conflict in Ukraine, with the leaders agreeing on the need for a negotiated settlement, according to CCTV.

“As comprehensive strategic partners, China and Brazil share extensive common interests,” Xi said, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

“China ... sees the relationship as a high priority on its diplomatic agenda,” he said.

The leaders then oversaw the signing of agreements in areas ranging from agriculture to aeronautics. That underscored the improvement in relations since Lula took over in January.