Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao delivers a speech in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on April 2. Photo: VCG

Editor's Note: 

Amid the trade tensions between the US and other countries, Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao (Mourao) paid his first official visit to China in May since he took office in January, drawing international attention to the future ties between Latin America's biggest economy and the world's second largest economy. In an emailed interview, Global Times reporters Wang Bozun and Bai Yunyi (GT) discussed bilateral ties and economic cooperation between the two countries with Mourao.

GT: What were the main achievements of your visit to China? Since it was the first high-level exchange between the new Brazilian government and China, what message did you bring back to President Jair Bolsonaro when you returned to Brazil? 

Mourao: I traveled to Beijing to preside over the 5th Meeting of the China-Brazil High-Level Cooperation and Consultation Committee (COSBAN) with Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan. COSBAN had not met since 2015 and we were able to reconvene the committee less than six months after President Jair Bolsonaro and I took office, on January 1. COSBAN is the main bilateral mechanism between our two governments. Its reactivation was a priority for both Brazil and China. We resumed high-level dialogue between our countries. This may be the most immediate achievement of my visit to China. We expect other positive results to unfold in the following months as forthcoming high-level and sectoral meetings take place. 

In my visit to Beijing, I met several high-level officials from the Chinese government, and I heard many positive comments about our bilateral relations. I had the honor of meeting President Xi Jinping and we exchanged some views about our two countries and the promising perspective for bilateral relations between China and Brazil. 

Back to Brazil, I reported to President Jair Bolsonaro. My message was that we should intensify our work with the Chinese government in order to diversify our exports to the Chinese market, to attract more investments for Brazilian infrastructure projects and to improve cooperation in science, technology and innovation. President Jair Bolsonaro plans to visit China in October. And President Xi has confirmed his attendance at BRICS Summit in November in Brasilia. 

President Bolsonaro is implementing the structural reforms that are necessary to put Brazil back on track of economic growth and social inclusion. Our partnership with China can contribute to the recovery of the Brazilian economy. I believe many new and important achievements are yet to come from the relationship with China. 

GT: What is the policy of Brazil's new government toward China? There has been a concern that the new Brazilian government will adopt an unfriendly policy toward China and that China-Brazil relations have been "damaged." Do you agree with this view? 

Mourao: In 2019, we celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Brazil and China. Since 2004, bilateral trade has grown 11 times, from $9 billion to $99 billion. Since 2009, China has become our major trade partner. Brazil received more than $60 billion in Chinese investments. China and Brazil are the largest emerging economies in the Eastern and Western hemispheres respectively. Both countries are set to contribute to the stability of their own regions and the world. Brazil will host 2019 BRICS Summit in November in Brasilia, and we count on China's engagement and support for a successful summit. 

The friendship between Brazil and China has a long history and a promising future. We are strategic partners, bound together by political, economic, cultural and historical ties. We aim to foster a closer relationship between both countries in a spirit of respect, and the search for mutual benefits and constructive dialogue. 

During the COSBAN meeting, Vice President Wang Qishan and I made a positive evaluation of recent developments in bilateral relations and provided guidance for cooperation in various areas. We reaffirmed the key role of COSBAN in implementing relevant documents with a view to continuously push forward our global strategic partnership. 

GT: Did Brazil and China reach new agreements on the export of Brazilian soybeans and processed soybeans to China during your visit? 

Mourao: The ministers of agriculture of China and Brazil are dealing with this and several other important issues within the Subcommittee of Agriculture and Subcommittee of Quarantine and Inspection. At the COSBAN meeting, we agreed to promote free trade flows in the agricultural and animal products sectors, recognizing our strong and dynamic partnership and the need to develop our economies, to reduce poverty and to achieve food security. 

GT: According to reports, you would assess the possibility of Brazil joining the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during your trip to China in May. What new understanding have you had about this initiative? Have you reached any new consensus with China on Brazil-China cooperation under this initiative? 

Mourao: In the 5th COSBAN Meeting, we agreed to promote investment flows between the two countries in order to build new complementarities and economic opportunities in accordance with our respective national interests. In this sense, Brazil and China took note of the possible synergies between China's development policies, and international initiatives, including the BRI and Brazil's development policies and investment programs, including the "Investment Partnership Program."