At the China-Brazil Forum for Exchange and Mutual Learning on November 30, Qiu Xiaoqi, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Latin American Affairs, highlighted amicable ties between the two major emerging economies. Edited excerpts of his views follow: 

China and Brazil are both important emerging markets with broad development prospects. Despite being more than 10,000 km apart, the Chinese and Brazilian people are good friends and close partners. Since COVID-19 erupted, they have stood together through thick and thin. China has provided Brazil with a large number of vaccines and shared its anti-pandemic experiences. Almost all residents of the town of Serrana in southeast Brazil have received Chinese vaccines, making it a shining example of China-Brazil anti-pandemic cooperation and their profound friendship. 

The two countries engaged in frequent high-level exchanges this year. China has hosted the 14th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Leaders’ Meeting, opening a new chapter in BRICS cooperation, together with Brazil and other member countries. The Sixth Meeting of the China-Brazil High-Level Coordination and Cooperation Committee was a success, drafting a blueprint for future cooperation. Solid momentum in bilateral cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure and aerospace has continued.  

Brazil sent the largest winter Olympic delegation in its history to the Beijing Olympic Winter Games. China agreed with the establishment of a Brazilian consulate general in Chengdu. The two countries have conducted athletic and other people-to-people exchanges both online and onsite, their friendship becoming more deeply rooted in people’s hearts. 

Although the two countries’ histories, cultures and national conditions differ, their peoples’ hearts are connected. In a world fraught with uncertainty and instability, China and Brazil need to work together to promote development and advance cooperation. 

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon 

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