Interview: Good momentum for China-Brazil relations: ambassador

China-Brazil relations have entered a new stage of development in various fields and they maintain a favorable momentum for the future, the Chinese ambassador says.

In an interview with Xinhua prior to an official visit to Brazil by Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), ambassador Qiu Xiaoqi elaborated on progress in bilateral ties in such areas as politics, economy and trade and culture.

In the political field, he said, there have been frequent exchanges of high-level visits between the two countries.

Since the beginning of this year, Chinese President Hu Jintao has already met four times with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral ties and international issues of common interest, he said.

China and Brazil have had good cooperation on a host of international issues, which reflects both countries’ rising status and influence on the international arena, he stressed.

Remarkable progress has also been made in bilateral economic and trade cooperation, the Chinese ambassador said.

Trade between China and Brazil rose to about 50 billion U.S. dollars in 2008 and in April this year, China became Brazil’s largest trading partner and export market in the world, he said.

The two countries have also enhanced their cultural exchanges, Qiu said, noting that Brazilians have shown rapidly growing interest in Chinese culture.

Exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries have also been deepened. In 2006, Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, paid an official goodwill visit to Brazil, which was a huge success.

Exchanges between the two countries’ parliaments and people-to-people exchanges play a positive role in promoting bilateral ties in all fields, Qiu said.

“I’m confident that Jia’s visit will represent an important step in further promoting cooperation between our two countries,” he said.

At the invitation of the Brazilian Senate and Chamber of Deputies, CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin will pay an official visit to Brazil from November 25 to 30.

During his six-day stay in Brazil, Jia will meet with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Senate President Jose Sarney and President of the Chamber of Deputies Michel Temer.