The Second China-Brazil Forum for Exchange and Mutual Learning took place in São Paulo, Brazil, on September 16 (COURTESY PHOTO) 

Officials, experts and media representatives from China and Brazil celebrated the two countries' friendship on September 16. They called for more cultural and people-to-people exchange to further deepen China-Brazil strategic partnership. 

"At present, cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and Brazil are at their historical peak," China International Communications Group (CICG) Vice President Liu Dawei said. "The friendly, candid, pragmatic and cooperative political trust built on equality and respect between the Chinese and Brazilian governments has laid a solid foundation for cultural exchange between the two countries."

Liu made the remarks via video link at the Second China-Brazil Forum for Exchange and Mutual Learning, which took place in São Paulo, Brazil, on September 16. Themed New Consensus, New Cooperation, New Future, the forum was cohosted by the CICG Center for the Americas and Brazil's Fundação Getúlio Vargas (Getulio Vargas Foundation), a higher education institution and think tank. 

People from all segments of society in both countries should take this opportunity to strengthen exchange and mutual learning, enhance mutual understanding, promote friendship, and jointly create a new future for China-Brazil relations in the new era, Liu added. 

When people talk about China-Brazil relations, they often focus on economic and trade cooperation because the achievements are significant, Vinícius Gurtler da Rosa, Coordinator of Multilateral Affairs and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Culture of Brazil, said at the forum. Cultural and people-to-people exchange between the two countries are equally important, because they can further enhance the bilateral relationship and enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, he added. 

This year is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership between China and Brazil, and 2024 will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The bilateral relationship stands at a critical historical juncture. 

For half a century, the tree of China-Brazil friendship has flourished and borne bountiful fruits as the two countries have always adhered to the principles of equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, Qiu Xiaoqi, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Latin American Affairs, said at the forum via video link. 

Not only have the two countries made great achievements in political, economic and trade cooperation, their exchange and interaction in the fields of culture, education, as well as science and technology have become increasingly close, serving as a model for solidarity and cooperation between major developing countries and emerging market nations, Qiu added. 

In his speech via video link, Marcos Bezerra Abbott Galvão, Brazilian Ambassador to China called on both nations to review their achievements and look forward to exploring deeper collaboration in a variety of areas.  

China stands as the largest source of foreign investment in Brazil. It is also Brazil's largest trading partner, with the latter running a bilateral trade surplus of $29 billion last year. Moreover, technological collaboration has yielded many results, such as the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite program. It is hoped that both nations will further deepen and broaden their cooperation, which is of great importance for Brazil's development, Galvão said. 

Despite the vast physical distance between China and Brazil, both sides have consistently shown mutual respect and appreciation for each other, Chinese Ambassador to Brazil Zhu Qingqiao said at the forum via video link.   

China is willing to further enhance mutual learning with Brazil, and supports close dialogue and expanded cooperation between many sectors from both countries, including think tanks, universities, media, youth and civil organizations, and at the local level, Zhu added.  

"China and Brazil are both major developing countries, possessing high growth vitality and development potential, and playing an important role in regional and international affairs. Whether in terms of mutual interests or the trends of the times, it is imperative that the two countries continuously seek to tap the potential for cooperation," Li Yafang, President of the CICG Center for the Americas, said at the forum.  

"This will not only align their bilateral relationship with their development goals but also drive South-South cooperation and cross-regional collaboration, contributing to global integration and international peace and development," she concluded. 

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson 

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