China favors Brazil's UN bid: Lula

BRASILIA (AFP) — China appears to favor Brazil's bid to become a permanent member of a reformed UN Security Council, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said as he hosted Chinese President Hu Jintao for dinner.

"I heard with pleasure the encouraging words of President Hu Jintao about Brazil having a greater role in the international arena, particularly in the United Nations," Lula said.

"We understand that this is a favorable indication for Brazil to participate as a permanent member in the work of a reformed Security Council," he said.

In a meeting early Friday, the two leaders said both nations should cooperate within the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, "with the aim of preserving the rights and interests of developing nations," Chinese sources said.

Brazilian sources said it is difficult for Beijing to explicitly support Brasilia's UN bid, as it wants to avoid favoring the ambitions of neighboring Japan and India.

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