Brazilian President Lula meets with China’s Xi Jinping in Beijing

Americas, Asia-Pacific, News April 15, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in Beijing and met with China’s President Xi Jinping on April 14, 2023. During the meeting, leaders of the two BRICS countries pledged to bolster bilateral cooperation.

China’s President Xi Jinping has been actively welcoming international leaders to Beijing in recent weeks. Lula is the latest one of the world leaders to meet the Chinese leadership. The meeting between the two presidents was largely focused on trade and economic cooperation.

Lula was greeted by Xi on April 14, at a red-carpet ceremony outside Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. According to the statement released by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Xi said that “As comprehensive strategic partners, China and Brazil share extensive common interests.” The Chinese president further added that “China sees the relationship as a high priority on its diplomatic agenda.”

President Lula wrote on Twitter that he had signed agreements with China on renewable energy, agribusiness, information technology, health, and infrastructure, among other sectors. He stated that the two countries also agreed to “explore mechanisms to promote bilateral cooperation in scientific and technological research and industrial innovation”.

^{Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attend a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on April 14, 2023. (Image Credit: Ken Ishii/Reuters)}

In all, Brazil and China signed at least 15 agreements and MoUs that include building a sixth satellite to monitor the Amazon, and the development of technology for 5G telecommunications, the internet, and cybersecurity in Brazil. Both countries also agreed to enhance joint research and development activities between public, private, and academic institutions, and the exchange of scientists and scientific papers.

On April 13, 2023, the Brazilian president also visited Chinese technology corporation Huawei’s Research and Development Centre in Shanghai. Lula posted on Twitter that he visited Huawei’s technology development center and “The company gave a presentation on 5G and solutions in telemedicine, education, and connectivity. A very strong investment in research and innovation.”

During his visit to Huawei, the Brazilian president was accompanied by Huawei’s president Liang Hua, as he toured an exhibition on Huawei’s presence in Brazil. According to Huawei’s spokesperson, the company has been operating in Brazil for 25 years. “The company is committed to working as a trusted long-term partner in the country and contributing to Brazil’s sustainable development, especially in terms of education, health, and re-industrialization,” the statement added.

^{Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gestures near First Lady Rosangela “Janja” da Silva during a visit to Huawei’s Research and Development Centre in Shanghai, China, on April 13, 2023. (Image Credit: Ricardo Stuckert/via Reuters)}

Brazil’s relations with China have significantly improved since the 77-year-old veteran leftist politician took office in January this year. Shortly before starting his trip to China, Lula’s government confirmed a deal with Beijing that allowed the two countries to trade in their own currencies. Since taking office at the start of this year, Lula has been busy mending relations with allies that had been stained during the times of his predecessors, Jair Bolsonaro.

A day before meeting with the Chinese president in Beijing, President Lula criticized the role of the U.S. dollar and the IMF in international trade. “Who decided the dollar would be the (world’s) currency?” he said in Shanghai at a ceremony hosted by the New Development Bank, formerly known as the BRICS Bank.

“Why can’t a bank like the BRICS bank have a currency to finance trade between Brazil and China, between Brazil and other BRICS countries?” he added.

Brazilian President Lula was scheduled to visit China in late March, however, he had to postpone his trip due to health issues. He is traveling with a large delegation that includes at least 40 high-level officials, and cabinet members.