Chinese Vice President meets Brazilian President

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-21-2009 09:13

Chinese Vice President, Xi Jinping, has met Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Brazilia.

The leaders talked about their countries' strategic partnership and challenges sparked by the global economic downturn.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (R) meets with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in Brasilia Feb. 19, 2009. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

During talks on Thursday, Xi Jinping recalled that Brazil provided timely assistance when the devastating Wenchuan earthquake jolted China last May.

Xi Jinping said China attaches great importance to ties with Brazil. He noted that in 2008, the presidents of the two countries reached broad consensus on strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Xi Jinping said the primary task of his visit is to discuss ways to implement this consensus and deepen the two countries' strategic partnership.

He said to achieve that goal, the two countries should channel their political dialogue to a strategic level... consolidate practical cooperation in trade, science and technology... and broaden cooperation in culture, media, education, sports and tourism.

Xi Jinping said China is willing to work more closely with Brazil to defend the interests of developing countries, especially during the global financial crisis.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed satisfaction over the current state of bilateral relations. He said Brazil is willing to work with China to deepen their strategic partnership, and noted that the financial slowdown also brings opportunities for the two sides to boost cooperation.

The Brazilian president said the two countries should increase coordination ahead of the London G-20 summit, work closely to fight trade protectionism and push for the Doha round of global trade talks to be re-started.

Xi Jinping also met Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, who's also the envoy of ailing Vice President Jose Alencar Gomes da Silva.

He said Brazil was one of the first countries to establish a strategic partnership with China and cooperation has been fruitful.

He called on the two countries to take more concerted measures to cope with the global financial crisis.

After the meeting, the two officials attended a signing ceremony for a number of bilateral cooperation agreements.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei