Closer ties sought with Brazil

Xi tells Bolsonaro more high-quality imports from nation are encouraged

China would like to expand cooperation with Brazil in areas covering agriculture, energy, mining industry, aerospace and infrastructure, President Xi Jinping said on Friday.

Xi made the remark while meeting with Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro, making his first state visit to China from Thursday to Saturday, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Saying that practical cooperation should benefit the people of both countries, Xi added that China would like to import more products of high quality and high added value from the South American nation.

Xi called on the two developing countries to make joint efforts to maintain multilateralism, oppose trade protectionism and unilateralism and promote the balanced, inclusive and sustainable development of the world economy.

Witnessed by the two presidents, China and Brazil signed a number of cooperation documents after their talks.

The world is undergoing unprecedentedly large changes, but the historic trend of peace, development and win-win cooperation is unchanged, Xi said.

The rising momentum of the developing countries and emerging markets including China and Brazil has not changed, and China's policy of developing bilateral ties with Brazil from a strategic level and visionary perspective also has not changed, Xi added.

Xi expressed appreciation for Bolsonaro's congratulatory letter on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Hailing China and Brazil as the most representative emerging markets and the biggest developing countries of the Eastern and Western hemispheres, respectively, Xi said the two countries have created a model for relations between major developing countries.

Both China and Brazil are at a critical period for development, and the two countries should develop their comprehensive strategic partnership and contribute more positive energy to global peace, stability and prosperity, Xi said.

Xi stressed that the two nations should uphold the right direction, prioritize bilateral relations, understand and respect each other's core interests and enhance mutual political trust.

They should boost people-to-people exchanges, promote communications in such areas as soccer and traditional Chinese medicine, and support local-to-local exchanges, Xi said. China supported Brazil's successful hosting of the BRICS leaders' meeting this year, he added.

Bolsonaro congratulated Xi on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, saying that China's great progress is admirable.

Calling China a great cooperation partner for Brazil, Bolsonaro said that the two countries uphold similar concepts despite the great distance between them.

Noting that China is the biggest trade partner of Brazil, Bolsonaro said that his visit demonstrated the friendly and close relations between the two countries.

The two nations should expand trade and investment, and deepen cooperation in areas including science, aerospace and sports, he said.

Brazil would like to open its market and welcome Chinese enterprises to invest in the infrastructure and gas areas, he said, adding that Chinese tourists are welcome to visit.

Brazil firmly upholds the one-China policy, and it would like to work with China to maintain multilateralism and free trade, he added.

President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro greet children during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. Bolsonaro is making his first state visit to China.