Foreign and Military Affairs

Hu vows to advance bilateral ties with Brazil

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-04-16 05:42

BRASILIA - Chinese President Hu Jintao, on a state visit to Brazil, met his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva here on Thursday to exchange views on bilateral ties and other issues of common concern, with both vowing to enhance bilateral cooperation.

Hu expressed his appreciation to the Brazilian side for its deep condolences over a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that hit China's Qinghai Province and has killed at least 760 people.

The Chinese-Brazilian relations have witnessed comprehensive development since the two countries established diplomatic ties 36 years ago, particularly since 1993 when the two sides established a strategic partnership, Hu said.

The two countries have maintained close high-level contacts and deepened political mutual trust, said Hu.

The two sides, which have set up a number of regular mechanisms of exchanges, have made great progress in cooperation in various fields including economy and trade, science and technology, space, energy and finance, said the Chinese president.

China and Brazil have also enhanced strategic cooperation on major international issues, and launched coordination and cooperation in dealing with global challenges such as the international financial crisis and climate change, safeguarding the common interests of developing countries, said Hu.

Stressing that the Chinese-Brazilian relations have borne more strategic importance and global influence, Hu put forward a three-point proposal on advancing the bilateral ties in a sound and rapid manner that are oriented toward the future.

Firstly, to enhance political mutual trust. The two sides should strengthen political dialogue and deepen mutual understanding and support to continually consolidate the political base of the bilateral ties, he said.

Secondly, to promote the construction of the cooperation mechanism. The Chinese side is ready to continue boosting strategic dialogue, promote development of cooperation mechanisms in the sectors of legislature, political parties and military affairs, in a bid to provide an institutional guarantee for the lasting development of the bilateral ties, he said.

Thirdly, to lift the level of strategic cooperation on international affairs. The two sides should promote communication and coordination in international organizations, such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, and multilateral mechanisms including the Group of 20 (G20) and BRIC countries to cooperate closely in tackling global challenges, such as climate change, in joint efforts to build a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity, said the Chinese president.

He pointed out that the pragmatic cooperation between the two sides is moving toward a new stage of development.

Hu said the Chinese side is willing to work together with the Brazilian side to enhance pragmatic cooperation in six sectors, namely economy and trade, investment, energy, finance, science and technology, and cultural exchanges.

On behalf of the Brazilian government and people, Lula once again expressed sympathy to the Chinese government and people over the strong earthquake in Qinghai Province.

Lula said President Hu's visit demonstrated the friendly feeling of the Chinese government and people to their Brazilian counterparts and also represented the strength of the Brazilian-Chinese strategic partnership.

Lula said he agreed to Hu's proposal on further promoting the bilateral ties and is satisfied with the smooth development of the Brazil-China relations.

Noting China has become Brazil's largest trade partner, the Brazilian president said he hopes the two sides would further improve bilateral trade.

He also promised that Brazil is ready to enhance cooperation and coordination with China within the United Nations, G20 and other multilateral mechanisms and on global issues such as climate change.

China and Brazil established diplomatic ties in 1974. In 1993, Brazil became the first developing country to have forged a strategic partnership with China.

The successful exchange of visits between Hu and Lula in 2004 marked a new stage of development in the bilateral ties.

In recent years, the China-Brazil relations have been deepening in a comprehensive way, marked by frequent exchange of visits between their leaders and enhanced political mutual trust.

Lula paid a state visit to China last year, during which leaders of the two countries reached consensus over a broad range of major issues.