Brazilian, Chinese presidents sign 37 bilateral agreements
During Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Brazil on Wednesday (Nov. 20), the two nations signed 37 new bilateral agreements. The Chinese leader was welcomed with military honors by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja da Silva at the Alvorada Palace, the official residence. They held a closed-door meeting, joined by several ministers from both countries.
After the meeting, both leaders delivered statements to the press without taking questions, followed by a luncheon at the venue. According to the president's press office, the agreements signed span a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, trade, investment, infrastructure, industry, energy, mining, finance, science and technology, communications, sustainable development, tourism, sports, health, education, and culture.
“Despite the geographical distance, China and Brazil have cultivated a strategic friendship for over half a century, rooted in shared interests and aligned worldviews. Since 2009, China has been Brazil's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade hitting a record $157 billion in 2023. Notably, the surplus with China represents more than half of Brazil's total trade balance,” President Lula stated during the signing ceremony.
“China is also a key source of investment in Brazil. Chinese companies have participated in infrastructure projects, including hydroelectric plants and railroads, fostering job creation, income generation, and sustainable development in Brazil. Meanwhile, Brazilian industries like WEG, Suzano, and Randon are expanding their footprint in the Chinese market. Additionally, Brazil's agribusiness sector plays a vital role in ensuring China's food security, as the country has been China's largest food supplier since 2017,” President Lula added.
Xi Jinping's visit to Brasília follows his participation in the G20 Leaders' Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro and concluded last Tuesday (19).
“We will enhance collaboration in priority areas such as economy, trade, finance, science and technology, infrastructure, and environmental protection, while expanding cooperation in emerging fields such as energy transition, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and green mining,” said President Xi Jinping during a press statement.
In the evening, the Chinese president attended a dinner hosted at the Itamaraty Palace, the headquarters of Brazil's Foreign Ministry.
Xi Jinping is set to depart Brazil on Thursday morning (21). According to the Brazilian government, his visit builds on President Lula's trip to China in April 2023 and marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
