China News Service, April 3 (Xue Lingqiao) "Although Brazil and China are far apart, the hearts of Brazilians and Chinese are getting closer. The mutual understanding and in-depth cooperation between the people of China and Brazil are also worth looking forward to ." Talking about the development of relations between China and Brazil, Gao Qinxiang, a Chinese professor at the Confucius Institute at the State University of Campinas in Brazil, said.
2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. Over the past 50 years, exchanges between the two countries have become increasingly frequent, and interactions and cooperation between the two countries have increased. Recently, an educational delegation composed of leaders from the State University of Campinas and the Federal University of Santa Catarina in Brazil and people from all walks of life in Brazil visited Beijing. Several members of the visiting delegation also discussed topics such as economic and trade investment, energy and scientific and technological innovation cooperation between the two countries.
Chinese companies integrate into “Brazilian Silicon Valley”
"Since 2009, China has been Brazil's most important trading partner. The amount of investment by Chinese companies in Brazil is constantly rising. The global influence of the Chinese economy is also growing." Talking about the economic and trade exchanges between Brazil and China, Bascan Bruno Martarello de Conti, Brazilian Director of the Confucius Institute at Pinas State University, pointed out.
Conte said that currently, many Chinese-funded companies have settled in Campinas, Brazil, and many Chinese people have also moved here to live. He pointed out that the investment of Chinese enterprises in Brazil has promoted people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and more and more Brazilian people are interested in going to China to study or work.
Pictured: Bruno Conti. Photo by Xue Lingqiao, China News Service
The city of Campinas in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, is known as Brazil’s “Silicon Valley” and is home to more than 300 high-tech companies. Gao Qinxiang, a Chinese professor at the Confucius Institute at the State University of Campinas, said that in Campinas, many Chinese-funded enterprises are benefiting the local community.
He gave an example that in terms of operating income and social impact, Brazilian power company CPFL Energia SA (CPFL), which is supported by Chinese-funded enterprises, has made outstanding contributions to the local community in Campinas. Chinese-funded companies have formed a very good atmosphere of cooperation with local communities, and Brazilians are proud to join Chinese-funded companies.
Data show that Brazil is the first Latin American country to have trade with China exceed 100 billion U.S. dollars. China has remained Brazil's largest trading partner and largest export market for many years.
Talking about the continued expansion of investment by Chinese companies in Brazil in recent years, Celio Hiratuka, dean of the School of Economics at the State University of Campinas in Brazil, said that the entry of Chinese companies in Brazil will help boost domestic employment in Brazil and realize China’s Technology transfer to Brazil is critical.
At the same time, he also paid attention to the concept of "new quality productivity" promoted by the Chinese government. He said that the introduction of the concept of new quality productivity shows that China is achieving higher quality economic development through economic transformation.
Energy, science and technology innovation explore new areas of cooperation
New energy vehicles, hydropower, solar energy... In addition to economic and trade cooperation, exchanges and cooperation in the fields of energy and science and technology are also the focus of cooperation between China and Brazil. During their visit to China, members of the Brazilian delegation looked forward to the prospects of cooperation between the two countries.
Professor Paulo José de Albuquerque, Dean of Civil Architecture and Urban Design at the University of Campinas in Brazil, noted that China’s electric vehicle technology has brought real benefits to the people after entering the Brazilian market. He said: "Benefiting from China's electric vehicle technology, ordinary Brazilians can now drive affordable electric vehicles."
Pictured is Paul Albuquerque. Photo by Xue Lingqiao, China News Service
Talking about China's advantages in hydropower construction, Albuquerque said frankly that Brazil is rich in hydropower resources and has many places suitable for building hydropower dams, and it can learn from China's technology in this field.
"Brazil needs to learn from China's technology to transport energy and meet Brazil's domestic energy needs. Brazil needs to tap more energy for its own development and construction," he pointed out.
"I am deeply impressed by China's development in the fields of electronic technology, smart cities and artificial intelligence." After visiting many scientific research institutions in China, Professor Hiratsuka marveled at the rapid development of China's science and technology. In this regard, he hopes that the two countries can cooperate to develop a technology-intensive economy and reach a number of scientific and technological cooperation agreements. (over)