Xi Jinping: Brazil-China relations at an all-time high
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that the relationship between China and Brazil is at its historic peak. He was welcomed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Alvorada Palace during his official visit to Brasília on Wednesday (Nov. 20).
"I had a cordial, friendly, and fruitful meeting with President Lula. We reflected on the relationship between China and Brazil over the past 50 years. We agreed that this relationship is at its best moment in history, with an increasingly prominent strategic and long-term global projection. It serves as an example for major developing countries to move forward together with solidarity and cooperation," said the president in a press statement.
The agenda in Brasília follows Chinese President Xi Jinping's participation in the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, which concluded on Tuesday (19). It also serves as a reciprocal visit after President Lula's trip to China in April 2023 and marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, celebrated this year.
In his statement following the meeting with Xi Jinping, President Lula announced the elevation of the bilateral relationship to a "Global Strategic Partnership to the Level of a Community of Shared Future for a Fairer World and a Sustainable Planet.”
“We are determined to build on our cooperation for the next 50 years in areas such as sustainable infrastructure, energy transition, artificial intelligence, digital economy, health, and aerospace. For this reason, we will establish synergies among Brazilian development strategies, such as the New Industry Brazil (NIB), the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), the South American Integration Routes Program, the Ecological Transformation Plan, and the Belt and Road Initiative,” said Lula.
To turn these synergies into reality, the Brazilian president announced the creation of two task forces: one focused on Financial Cooperation and the other on Productive and Sustainable Development. Both are expected to present priority projects within two months.
Global South
Xi Jinping also praised the fact that Brazil and China, as the two largest developing countries in their respective regions, play a leading role in advancing the aspirations of the Global South—a term used to describe nations in similar socio-economic situations, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
“China and Brazil must proactively assume the great historical responsibility of safeguarding the common interests of the Global South countries and promoting a more just and equitable international order,” said the Chinese president. He also advocated increasing the representation of developing countries in global governance. “It is also our consensus that China and Brazil continue to strengthen collaboration in multilateral forums such as the United Nations, G20, and BRICS, tackling hunger and poverty,” added the Chinese leader.
In alignment with Xi Jinping, Lula reiterated his support for reforming global governance and creating a more democratic, fair, equitable, and environmentally sustainable international system. “In a world plagued by armed conflicts and geopolitical tensions, China and Brazil prioritize peace, diplomacy, and dialogue. I thanked them for their engagement in the Call to Action for Global Governance Reform, which Brazil launched within the G20 framework,” said Lula.
International conflicts
Both Lula and Xi Jinping addressed global conflicts, advocating for political solutions to bring an end to the wars.
“We will never overcome the scourge of hunger amid senseless wars. The Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, officially launched two days ago, is one of the most important initiatives of Brazil's G20 presidency. China was a first-rate partner in this effort to restore dignity to the 733 million people suffering from hunger in the 21st century. Without peace, the planet will not be able to find solutions to the climate crisis,” said Lula. The Brazilian president also mentioned the document launched with China, which proposes a political resolution to the war in Ukraine.
The Chinese president stated that the world remains far from peaceful, “with various regions enduring wars, conflicts, turbulence, and insecurity.”
“Humanity is a community of indivisible security. Only by embracing the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security can we pave the way to universal security. Regarding the Ukraine crisis, I have repeatedly emphasized that there is no simple solution to such a complex issue. China and Brazil have shared common understandings on a political resolution to the crisis in Ukraine and have established a group of friends of peace to address the situation. We must unite more voices that advocate for peace and work towards a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine,” said President Xi Jinping.
Regarding the war in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has launched an invasion, the Chinese president expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation. He called for stronger international efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire, provide humanitarian aid, and work towards a lasting solution that, he emphasized, must guarantee the establishment of two states.
Lula and Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet again next year when Brazil hosts the next BRICS summit in July. The Chinese leader is also expected to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém later that year.
