Focus on Arts and Ecology

April 14, 2023 

China and Brazil are pledging to create a new future for bilateral ties. The promise came in talks Friday in Beijing between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

In an exclusive interview with China Media Group anchor Wang Guan, President Lula said he wants the bilateral relationship to expand beyond economic and trade issues. He cited science and technology cooperation, university exchanges, space partnerships, and Chinese investment in Brazil's auto industry.

Lula arrived in China late Wednesday on a four-day state visit, accompanied by more than 200 business people. His first stop was Shanghai, where he toured Huawei's research and development center.

In his talks with Xi, Lula said Brazil hopes to expand cooperation with China in 5G technology. China has been Brazil's biggest trading partner for 14 years, and the two countries recently abandoned the U.S. dollar in favor of using their own currencies for bilateral trade.

President Xi called Lula "an old friend" during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People. He said China's pursuit of high-quality development will unlock new opportunities for Brazil and countries around the world. The two leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements ranging from trade to poverty reduction. The two sides also issued a joint statement on deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership.

China and Brazil are marking the 30th anniversary of their strategic partnership. Next year, they celebrate a half-century of bilateral relations.

More headlines: 

· During his stop in Shanghai, Lula attended the swearing-in ceremony for Dilma Rousseff as president of the New Development Bank, a creation of the BRICS group of countries that comprise Brazil, China, India, Russia, and South Africa. Rousseff is a former Brazilian president.

· Lula's visit was originally scheduled for March 27 but was postponed when he came down with pneumonia. President Xi sent a message wishing him a speedy recovery.

· The two leaders discussed the Ukraine crisis during their Friday meeting. Both agreed that dialogue and negotiation are the only feasible way to settle it.

· Lula cited a Brazilian proverb in remarks hailing relations with China: "Friendship is like a bottle of wine, the older, the better."

· President Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, hosted a welcoming banquet for President Lula and his wife, Rosangela Lula da Silva, at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People on Friday evening.

(Sources: China Report)