Brazil's Lula to postpone departure to China until Sunday due to mild pneumonia

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been diagnosed with mild pneumonia and will delay his departure to China until Sunday, the presidential palace said on Friday. The president underwent tests in a hospital in Brasilia on Thursday night. Lula will also visit Shanghai later in the week.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been diagnosed with mild pneumonia and will delay his departure to China until Sunday, the presidential palace said on Friday.

The president underwent tests in a hospital in Brasilia on Thursday night. Lula was initially supposed to leave to the Asian country on early Saturday for a visit to refresh its ties with Brazil's largest export market.

He will be accompanied by a large delegation that includes half a dozen cabinet ministers, plus governors, lawmakers and 240 business leaders, from which over a third are from Brazil's farming sector. Lula will also visit Shanghai later in the week. Chinese leader Xi Jinping is set to meet with Lula on March 28 in Beijing.

Most of Lula's Friday schedule was canceled, but he will attend an afternoon meeting with ministers and government leaders in Congress.

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