China’s ambassador to Brazil on Monday publicly asked Brasilia to “soon join the Belt and Road Initiative family” and reiterated a pledge to bring bilateral ties to a “higher level” through its signature Beijing-centred trading network.
Speaking during an annual meeting of the China-Brazil Business Council in São Paulo, Zhu Qingqiao outlined several advantages for South America’s largest economy to become an official member of the global strategic initiative.
China sought to leverage belt and road programmes to foster port services integration, launch pilot zones for e-commerce collaboration and broaden market access for digital trade, the senior Chinese envoy said.
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“In the next five years, [we aim] to build multilateral cooperation platforms with partner countries in energy, taxation, finance, green development, disaster mitigation strategies, think tanks, media, culture and other areas,” Zhu told an audience mainly comprising Brazilian government officials and entrepreneurs from the two countries.
In anticipation of next year’s 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil, Zhu described the relationship as “resilient and meaningful”, calling it a strong foundation to tackle challenges and pursue mutual development. For this reason, he said, belt and road involvement should rank high on both countries’ agenda.
“[The Belt and Road Initiative] is poised to elevate our mutually advantageous collaboration to a new level,” he added.
“Neo-industrialisation in the 21st century should not simply replicate the conventional model, but strive for superior-quality development, guided by the principles of innovation, coordination, sustainability, openness and inclusiveness.”
Zhu’s comments marked China’s first public overture inviting Brazil to partake in the initiative, although discussions have taken place for several years.
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Brazil weighed membership in the scheme ahead of President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva’s state visit to Beijing in April to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, but ultimately decided against joining it, according to people familiar with the matter.
Sources have indicated that scepticism has persisted within Brazilian circles regarding the tangible benefits of membership, such as whether investment or trade would benefit significantly.
In addition, some have cited concern in Brasilia that joining the network could be construed as a shift away from Western allies, notably the United States.
Eduardo Saboia, a diplomat working on Asia and the Pacific at the Brazilian foreign ministry, said on Monday he had “taken note” of the Chinese ambassador’s pitch.
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But Saboia made clear that Brazil could attain belt and road opportunities within the scope of an existing “comprehensive strategic partnership agreement” signed by Brasilia and Beijing in 2012.
“We have a partnership that extends beyond economic cooperation, encompassing our close collaboration within international organisations like Brics, the G20, the UN and the WTO,” Saboia said.
“This is a stable and enduring alliance between two nations that holds significant influence in the Global South.”
The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs could not immediately be reached for comment on the Chinese ambassador’s invitation.
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