Chinese VP calls for boosting co-op, deepening strategic partnership with Brazil

BRASILIA, Feb. 20 -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Thursday called for boosting cooperation and deepening China's strategic partnership with Brazil.

The vice president arrived here Wednesday for an official visit to the largest country in South America.

Xi met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday and said that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Brazil in the fields of politics, economy, trade, technology and humanities.

He said the two countries should enhance coordination and cooperation in multilateral fields.

The further development of cooperation between China and Brazil, two important emerging economies, will go beyond the extent of bilateral ties, and will be increasingly of global-wide and strategic significance, Xi said.

At the time of the financial crisis, China would like to continue strengthening communications and coordination with Brazil, Xi said. He said China would like to enhance their cooperation in confronting the crisis and in propelling reforms in the international financial system.

China also wants to work together with Brazil in defending the interests of developing countries, Xi said.

For his part, Lula said that Brazil is satisfied with the development of friendly ties with China and is willing to work with China to deepen their strategic partnership, to which the Brazilian government attaches great importance.

Both countries oppose trade protectionism, call for the restart of the Doha Rounds, and defend the interests of developing countries, Lula added.

On Thursday, Xi also met separately with the leaders of both houses of Brazil's parliament to discuss ways to advance cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries.

During the meetings, Xi praised the close exchanges and friendly cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries in recent years.

He said he also hoped they would maintain close contact, strengthen exchanges and dialogue and enhance consultation and coordination within the framework of the international and regional parliamentary organizations.

Expressing admiration for Chinese history and culture, Jose Sarney, the Federal Senate president, said he has always cherished friendly feelings toward the Chinese people.

Chamber of Deputies President Michel Temer said the National Congress of Brazil is ready to play an active role in enhancing friendly relations between Brazil and China.

During talks with Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, the special envoy of ailing Vice President Jose Alencar Gomes da Silva, Xi said Brazil was the first developing nation to establish a strategic partnership with China.

The development of relations between China and Brazil have shown good momentum in recent years and the two countries are now each other's key trading partners, Xi said.

Increased cooperation between China and Brazil is in keeping with their fundamental interests and is also conducive to regional and world peace, cooperation and development, he said.

Xi proposed the two sides expand high-level exchanges, enhance dialogue and promote mutual trust.

Brazil is the fifth leg of Xi's six-nation tour which has already taken him to Mexico, Jamaica, Colombia and Venezuela. He will also visit Malta.