Young Brazilians sing China's praises

From kung fu to acupuncture to Chinese cars and construction, young Brazilians have a lot of observations about China.

To Joao Casseb, an undergraduate student from Cuiaba, the capital of Mato Grosso state, China is important to his hometown.

"My state is well known as a producer of soy, and China is a major importer," Casseb told China Daily while meeting with a friend at a shopping mall in Brasilia.

"China is going to build a train to connect with Sao Paulo, so more soy could be transported," he said. "When the construction is completed, the local farmers would be able to pay less for transportation, and China could save costs, too."

"It's a win-win situation," said Casseb, who traveled to Brasilia on Monday to apply for a US visa at the US embassy.

Casseb said he would like to study in China, but his English was not proficient enough to put him in the program, because he would need to spend the first year learning Chinese through English instruction.

Casseb said he would like to study in China after he finishes the program in the US.

"I want to learn China's construction technologies. It's amazing how fast they can build a house," said Casseb, who is majoring in civil engineering.

Upon learning that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang started an official visit to Brazil on Monday with the goal of raising cooperation in areas such as agriculture and people-to-people exchanges, the student was enthusiastic.

"China is the world's second-largest economy, and Brazil is the largest in Latin America," he said. "It's a good thing for both countries to cooperate."

"I received the treatment of acupuncture from a local doctor for the acne on my face," he said. "It turned out to be very effective, more effective than the medicines I had tried before."

He said an acupuncture clinic had been in his hometown for some time, and the doctor, a Brazilian, acquired skills in China after years of study.

"I trust the doctor, though I was a little scared of the needles at first," he said.

To Cezar Ferreira, 27, a receptionist at the Royal Tulip Bras��lia Alvorada, the hotel where the Chinese premier is going to stay in Brasilia, Chinese culture has long been close to his life.

"I was fascinated with Chinese kung fu as a young boy, and Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan are my favorite stars," he said, adding that he has been practicing wushu for three to four years.

"I will continue practicing," he said. "It's good for my health, too."

As a receptionist at the hotel, Ferreira has witnessed a number of high-level visits by Chinese officials.

He said he believed the distance between China and Brazil was getting closer.

"Chinese automaker Chery has established a factory in Jacarei, and Jac Motors is going to build another one in Sao Paulo," Ferreira said.

"I love Chinese cars. They are cheap, but you have all the functions that expensive cars have," he said, adding that his mother bought a Chery QQ on his recommendation.

Contact the writer at liazhu@chinadailyusa.com