Brasilia, Mar 25 (EFE).- On the recommendation of his doctors, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has postponed a five-day visit to China after being diagnosed with bronchial pneumonia, the Brazilian government said Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The postponement has been communicated to the Chinese authorities with the reiteration of the desire to schedule the visit for a different date,” officials said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lula, 77, said Friday that he was delaying by one day his departure for China due to a “slight pneumonia.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The president went to the hospital Thursday suffering from flu symptoms after a hectic few days that included extensive travel across the giant South American nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tests showed that he had bacterial and viral bronchial pneumonia and the president began treatment with antibiotics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Saturday, physicians evaluated his condition again and though they noted “clinical improvement,” they concluded that he should not travel until he is free of the virus, according to the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lula was to be accompanied to China – Brazil’s leading trade partner – by Cabinet ministers, 240 business executives and dozens of members of Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The delegation was set to take part in events in Beijing and Shanghai, including an economic forum with as many as 500 business leaders from both countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lula and Chinese President Xi Jinping were expected to sign a score of accords in areas ranging from trade to the energy transition within the framework of the bilateral strategic partnership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
EFE cms\/dr<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"