ISLAMABAD: Beijing’s foreign ministry said Friday that Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will visit China at the end of the current month, . According to China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, after an invitation by Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Luiz of Brazil will pay a state visit to China from March 26-31.
Wang Wenbin, another ministry spokesperson, stated that the visit would bring in a new era and a new future for China-Brazil ties at the level of head of state.
Regarding the talks, he said, would aid in pushing the China-Brazil comprehensive strategic linkage to a new level, and make fresh contributions to the promotion of regional and global prosperity and stability.
Lula, who led South America’s largest economy twice between 2003 and 2010, is giving the initial signs of wanting to break Brazil’s global isolation after 4 years under far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro.
The visit will be Lula’s 1st to China since taking office in January.
In his first speech in Congress, he disclosed a new role for Brazil in the world by resuming “South American integration” and the reconstruction of the “high and active dialogue with the United States, the European Community as well as China”.
China is Brazil’s top trading partner
China is Brazil’s top trading partner, with $152.6 billion in bilateral trade last year. The US is a distant second, with $88.8 billion.
Lula has expressed a desire to resume friendly ties with China, in stark contrast with Bolsonaro.
Following Lula’s inauguration, an official said the new president would seek to visit China “after March”.
At that time, China’s foreign ministry confirmed an invitation to Brazil’s president, although it did not disclose a date for his visit.
