© Reuters. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi greets Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira at the Itamaraty Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil January 19, 2024. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
By Anthony Boadle
BRASILIA (Reuters) – The Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has expressed his appreciation for Brazil’s recent backing of Beijing’s “One China policy,” affirming Taiwan as an integral part of China. This is a clear indication of the strengthening bilateral relations between China and South America’s largest country.
Concluding his two-day visit to Brazil, Wang made a stop in the northeastern Brazilian city of Fortaleza to meet with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at an air force base before departing to Jamaica later in the afternoon. However, no details of their meeting have been disclosed.
Earlier in Brasilia, Wang emphasized the need for both countries, which are members of the BRICS group of leading emerging economies, to collaborate in building a multi-polar world rooted in peace and security.
During discussions between Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and Wang, the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza were addressed, with a focus on finding resolutions. Wang also stressed the importance of building closer levels of confidence, considering the strong trade partnership between the two nations.
Relations between China and Brazil had been strained during the far-right government of former President Jair Bolsonaro. However, they have improved under the leadership of Lula, a popular leftist leader serving his third term.
In a notable move, Wang and Vieira signed a visa agreement between the two nations, extending their validity from five to 10 years. This is aimed at boosting business travel and tourism between the countries.
As part of his tour that began in African nations, Wang made a stop in Fortaleza before heading to Jamaica, the final destination of his trip.
Brazil’s stance on Taiwan was solidified in April with a foreign ministry statement expressing unwavering support for the One China Principle, acknowledging China as “the sole legitimate government of the whole of China, and Taiwan being an inseparable part of the Chinese territory.”
China is the largest export market for Brazil, particularly for soy and iron ore. Additionally, Chinese companies are looking to increase their investments in Brazil, particularly in power transmission, oil, and electric vehicles.
Maros Caramuru, a China expert and former Brazilian ambassador in Beijing, noted the growing interest of Chinese companies in investing in electric vehicles and infrastructure in Brazil. He also emphasized that Lula’s presidency has contributed to strengthening mutual trust in Brazil-China relations.