BRASILIA, May 16 (Xinhua) -- President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said his
upcoming visit to China is aimed at strengthening the Brazilian-Chinese
strategic partnership.
In a written interview with Xinhua ahead of his visit on Monday, Lula said
he understands that the strategic partnership consists of three key elements,
namely, trade, scientific cooperation and coordination in international affairs.
China overtook the United States last month as Brazil's biggest trading
partner. Lula said Brazil is interested in increasing finished industrial
products to its exports to China which currently consists mainly of raw
materials.
"Brazil has huge potential in exporting high value-added products and
bilateral trade could therefore become more balanced and sustainable," Lula
said.
The president also expressed hope that China would be able to raise its
investments in Brazil's high-tech sectors. "Just like Brazil's aero-maker
Embraer in Harbin, China," he said.
In January 2003, China Aviation Industry Corporation II and Embraer jointly
contributed to the establishment of the Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Co. in
the northern Chinese city of Harbin.
On scientific cooperation, Lula said the two sides should continue their
joint work on satellite research, and start cooperation in bio-energy and
bio-technology development.
China and Brazil in 1988 launched an earth resources exploring satellite
program known as CBERS, and three satellites have so far been launched. The
information collected by the satellites is offered to other developing countries
for free. The project is considered a model for South-South cooperation.
Brazil, as the world's leading bio-fuel producer, also boasts advanced
technology in the production of ethanol and bio-diesel. Brazil and China could
jointly develop alternative energies that could have huge potential in the
future, Lula said.
He said Brazil and China, as two of the world's biggest developing nations,
are playing increasingly important roles in international affairs. Both sides
should strengthen coordination in the reform of international financial
institutions, he said.
"It is the moment now to break the old economic order. The economic power
of the two countries (Brazil and China) has enabled them to contribute to
building a fairer and sustainable management mechanism," Lula said.
He said the Brazilian-Chinese strategic partnership, established in 1993,
could broaden the alliance between the two countries and other emerging ones,
and may even lead to a new global economic, scientific and trade landscape in
the 21st century.
Referring to international efforts to tackle the financial crisis, Lula
said the international community should take measures to adjust financial
regulations and stabilize trade flows.
Brazil supports the proposal by China's central bank to create a new
super-sovereign reserve currency to help reform the global monetary system, Lula
said.
"Brazil considers a new international reserve currency could help improve
market flows, reduce future market uncertainties and reliance on the U.S.
dollar," he said.
Lula also urged the international community to resume the stalled World
Trade Organization Doha Round talks to prevent further decline in the global
trade volume.
Lula's China visit is the second leg of a three-nation tour, which has
already taken him to Saudi Arabia. He will also visit Turkey.
Profile: Brazilian President Luiz
Inacio Lula da Silva
Lula hopes to boost strategic
partnership with China
FLORIANOPOLIS, Brazil, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Brazil
hopes to vigorously strengthen its strategic partnership with China, President
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said here on Thursday.
China is now Brazil's largest trading partner, but
the potentials for their cooperation could be 10 times bigger than the current
trade volume between the two countries, Lula said. Full story
