MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil and China “strategic alliance”

Brazil and China emphasized this Monday in Beijing their commitment to a bilateral “strategic alliance”, called for “a more democratic and representative global system” and signed ten agreements covering trade and cooperation in different fields.

Visiting Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao said in a joint release that "democratization of international relations and a multi-polar international system" are essential to confront global and regional challenges.

Besides trade, the agreements signed include agriculture, science and technology, energy, infrastructure, health services, sports and joint investments projects involving 3 and 5 billion US dollars.

Bilateral trade totalled 6,7 billion US dollars in 2003, a 63% increase over 2002 and quiet distant from the modest one billion in 1997. The target now is "to quadruple trade with Brazil in the coming years".

During the ceremony President Lula da Silva pointed out the importance of China for Brazil highlighting that the presidential delegation includes six governors, nine ministers, federal Deputies and Senators plus over 500 businessmen.

"Since becoming President your Excellency has been positively committed to the improvement of relations between China and Brazil", said Chairman Hu Jinatao who recalled that the visit coincides with the thirtieth anniversary of the reestablishment of bilateral relations between both countries. Mr. Hu Jintao added that Mr. Lula da Silva's five day visit will help understanding and confidence building between both countries leading to a solid "strategic alliance". The Chinese leader said that a good example of large scale cooperation were the agreements reached between Brazilian Petrobras and the Chinese state oil company Sinopec for jointly exploring, producing and refining hydrocarbons in Latinamerica, Africa and the Middle East.

President Lula officially inaugurated Petrobras offices in Beijing.

"China considers Brazil the biggest and most important developing country in the Western Hemisphere", said Chinese Foreign Secretary spokesperson Liu Jianchao anticipating "greater involvement and coordination on international matters".

Brazilian Foreign Affairs minister Celso Amorim pointed out that increased bilateral exchanges and growing agreement on many international political issues "are a sign of the cooperation between the tow developing giants of Asia and Latinamerica".

Beijing and Brasilia are preparing to lead the developing countries' movement, "something that is already happening within the framework of the World Trade Organization with the G-20", stressed Mr. Amorim.

This Tuesday President Lula da Silva is scheduled to open the first Brazilian Studies Centre in China at the renowned Beijing University and will be giving a first speech on Sino-Brazilian relations.

The Brazilian delegation will then travel to Shanghai to participate in business seminars.