In China, Alckmin says that country inspires Brazil in eradicating poverty

On Friday afternoon (7), President Xi Jinping received Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing. The meeting, marked by an atmosphere of cooperation and friendship, celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil and resulted in significant advances in the areas of economy, trade and technology.

Conveying greetings from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Alckmin celebrated the joint efforts made in recent years, which resulted in important advances in reducing poverty in China, an achievement he considered a “global miracle”. He added that the experience could provide important lessons for Brazil. He highlighted the Brazilian government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth and expressed interest in strengthening the alignment of development strategies with China.

On February 25, 2021, the Chinese government announced that the last 100 million people living below the poverty line had been lifted out of poverty because of the efforts of the Chinese people, thus ending absolute poverty in China. The feat is considered extraordinary in a country so populous and with an economy that developed in just three decades.

Alckmin also welcomed the presence of Chinese companies in Brazil and the potential for cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, mining and new energy vehicles. “Brazil and China share similar philosophies on many issues and have vast potential for cooperation,” said the vice president.

“Both Brazil and China are committed to defending multilateralism and free trade, share the same views on many important issues and enjoy enormous potential and broad prospects for cooperation,” he added.

Similar views

Xi Jinping highlighted that China and Brazil are strategic partners with broad and common interests. “Both countries, as major developing nations, should promote unity and cooperation to ensure world peace and stability,” Xi said. The Chinese president stressed that collaboration between the two countries not only promotes the domestic development of both countries, but also protects the interests of many developing countries.

He emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation in emerging areas, such as green economy, digital and innovation, as well as strengthening the connection between the “One Belt and One Road” initiative and the “reindustrialization” of Brazil. Xi Jinping expressed the desire to continue to intensify strategic coordination and friendship between the two countries, promoting cultural, educational and tourism exchanges.

Xi highlighted that China and Brazil are good friends who share the same vision and good partners who move forward hand in hand. Emphasizing that the world is undergoing profound changes unprecedented in a century, Xi said China and Brazil share broad strategic interests, adding that their relations are of exemplary importance in promoting solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, as well as world peace and stability.

^{Vice President Geraldo Alckmin met with Xi Jinping to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Brazil and China and discuss partnerships}

Action plans and cooperation agreements

During the meeting, several significant agreements were signed. In the “China-Brazil Entrepreneurs Committee Joint Action Plan”, both countries committed to deepening cooperation in various areas over the next five years, including information technology, artificial intelligence and aerospace industry.

Xi said China will take the opportunity to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its diplomatic ties with Brazil to comprehensively strengthen exchanges and cooperation between legislatures, political parties, localities, culture, education, tourism, youth and other areas of the two countries.

Wang Shouwen, Vice Minister of Commerce of China, highlighted the need to strengthen cooperation links more than ever, inviting Brazilian companies to participate in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the Canton Fair.

In a symbolic gesture, Alckmin visited Luckin Coffee’s SOHO store in Beijing, remembering that 50 years ago diplomatic relations between the two countries began with coffee. During the visit, a memorandum of cooperation was signed that provides for the purchase of 120,000 tons of Brazilian coffee over the next two years, promoting the coffee industry and strengthening bilateral trade.

Future of Sino-Brazilian cooperation

Alckmin’s official visit to China also resulted in the signing of a memorandum of cooperation for the establishment of the “Brazil Center” to promote investments in Asia, facilitating the entry of Brazilian companies into the Chinese market and vice versa. Jorge Viana, president of the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency, highlighted that the “Centro Brasil” project will open new business and cooperation opportunities between the two countries over the next 50 years.

The meeting and agreements signed during Alckmin’s visit to China reinforce the importance of strategic cooperation between China and Brazil, highlighting both countries’ commitment to promoting sustainable and inclusive development, benefiting not only their own economies, but also contributing to global stability and prosperity.