Brazil eyes progress in ties with China

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who concluded a five-day state visit to China on Wednesday, expressed renewed optimism about the expanding potential for deeper Brazil-China cooperation and the broader prospects for global peace and development.

Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, Lula highlighted the enduring friendship between the two nations grounded in mutual respect, noting that the relationship has become more strategic and made significant strides in recent years.

Reflecting on the evolution of bilateral trade, Lula recalled that in 2003, during his first presidential term, trade between Brazil and China was worth around $6.6 billion.

"Today, our bilateral trade exceeds $160 billion and continues to grow. That's no small achievement," he said, emphasizing the need to deepen cooperation to achieve shared development and prosperity.

During his talks with Lula on Tuesday, President Xi Jinping urged enhanced cooperation between China and Brazil in traditional sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture and energy, while also exploring new areas such as energy transition, aerospace, the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

Lula said, "Brazil is ready to increase bilateral investment, expand infrastructure development, and import more high value-added Chinese products."

He also expressed the hope that Chinese companies will play a key role in advancing Brazil's scientific and technological capabilities.

Lula described the Beijing Declaration, adopted at the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Forum, as a document of "great importance to South America and other underdeveloped regions".

The declaration reaffirmed China's commitment to strengthening cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean nations, improving connectivity, enhancing economic security, and jointly tackling development financing challenges.

Calling investment a key driver of economic growth, Lula emphasized the importance of strong economies like China supporting the development of less-affluent nations, and urged others to follow suit.

"Today, China is not just a model for Brazil, but for the entire world. We must examine how China succeeded in lifting 800 million people out of poverty in just four decades — this is nothing short of a miracle," he said. Brazil should draw lessons from China's economic and technological progress, he added.

Lula also reaffirmed the shared commitment of Brazil and China to upholding multilateralism, as he cautioned that the unity and stability achieved since World War II are increasingly being challenged in today's global landscape, particularly in international trade. He said that both countries are committed to working together to safeguard free trade and oppose protectionism.

The Brazilian president cited the recent progress in trade negotiations between China and the United States, including substantial tariff reductions, as a reminder of the importance of preserving national sovereignty, while calling for a return to a rules-based multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization.

"Imposing punitive tariffs as a means of sanctioning other nations is unacceptable," he said, calling for a more balanced, fair and inclusive world order.

Looking ahead, Lula said that Brazil will host the BRICS Summit in July, during which economic development and climate change will top the agenda. He described BRICS as a new model of South-South cooperation that fosters joint solutions and amplifies the Global South's voice in shaping international rules that better reflect 21st century realities.

"BRICS is not about dominating the world, it is about contributing to global development," he said, dismissing claims that the group seeks to confront the Global North.

Lula welcomed recent signs of progress in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. He noted that Brazil, over the past three years, has actively promoted dialogue, and together with China, launched the Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis.

On Tuesday, China and Brazil issued a joint statement on the Ukraine crisis, reiterating their readiness to cooperate with other Global South nations in actively supporting efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the crisis.