Beijing, Brasilia vow to jointly defend multilateralism

China and Brazil vowed on Tuesday to defend multilateralism and uphold the international economic and trade order, while agreeing to further promote the building of a community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet.

The two countries made the pledge in a joint statement released after President Xi Jinping held talks in Beijing with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is on a five-day state visit to China that started on Saturday.

During the talks, Xi called on the two countries to strengthen coordination within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations and BRICS, saying that China and Brazil, as two major developing countries in the Eastern and Western hemispheres, respectively, should work together to uphold multilateralism and oppose unilateralism, protectionism and bullying practices.

Lula said that under the current circumstances, it is crucial to steadfastly defend multilateralism.

He said that protectionism and tariff hikes will not lead to development and prosperity, but to disruptions instead.

Saying that China's resolute stance in addressing global challenges has provided strength and confidence to countries around the world, Lula expressed Brazil's willingness to enhance strategic coordination with China in international affairs, in order to safeguard the common interests of the countries of the Global South and uphold international fairness and justice.

Regarding bilateral cooperation, Xi underlined the need for China and Brazil to uphold strategic mutual trust and support each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns.

He called on the two countries to strengthen the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Brazil's development strategies, enhance traditional cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, energy and other fields, and explore partnership in new areas such as aerospace, the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

Lula said that Brazil and China respect each other and are a community with a shared future.

The relationship between the two countries is unbreakable and will not be disrupted by any external factors, he said, adding that unlike other major countries, China has always sincerely supported and assisted Latin American countries, including Brazil, in achieving economic and social development.

They witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents in various fields including science and technology, agriculture, the digital economy, finance and media.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, agreeing to enhance communication and coordination on the issue and work with other countries of the Global South to continue to play a constructive role in resolving the conflict.

A joint statement on the Ukraine crisis released on Tuesday said that China and Brazil welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal on Saturday to initiate peace talks, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's positive remarks.

China and Brazil hope that both Russia and Ukraine will promptly engage in direct dialogue, which is the only way to end the conflict, the statement said.

caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn