Xi Jinping-Lula summit meeting on the 20th
37 development and trade agreements signed
Brazil expands agricultural exports
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Inacio Lula da Silva held a summit meeting at the Brazilian President’s Palace Auborada on the 20th (local time). Shinhwa Yonhap News
China and Brazil have decided to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, agriculture, and science and technology. It is noteworthy that a Chinese company has decided to enter the Brazilian satellite communications market dominated by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Inacio Lula da Silva held a summit meeting at the Auborada Palace in Brasilia on the 20th (local time) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and signed 37 trade and development-related agreements, reports Xinhua and the Associated Press. reported.
“China is ready to make the two countries golden partners,” President Xi said. “I am confident that it will open a new path for bilateral relations,” President Lula said.
The meeting between the two leaders followed the Asia-Pacific Economic Community (APEC) summit held in Lima, Peru, and the G20 summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
President Lula held a welcoming ceremony attended by mounted guards and a military band and welcomed President Xi, who was visiting as a state guest. Brazilian local media reported that it was unusual for the summit to be held at Palace Auborada, the official residence, rather than Palace Planalto, the president’s office.
China is Brazil’s largest trading partner. Last year, the volume of trade between the two countries exceeded $157 billion (about 219.5 trillion won), reaching an all-time high. Brazil mainly exports agricultural products, including soybeans, to China, and China exports semiconductors, automobiles, mobile phones, and pharmaceuticals to Brazil.
The 37 agreements signed between the two countries cover various fields, including agriculture, industry, science and technology, health, energy, culture and education. The two leaders decided to link China’s Belt and Road project with Brazil’s various development projects through cooperation in various fields.
It is noteworthy that Brazil signed an agreement with ‘Spacesale’, a Chinese company that provides low-orbit satellite communication services. This is because a Chinese company is challenging Starlink, which dominates the Brazilian low-orbit satellite communication market.
Musk is close to Brazil’s Bolsonaro administration and is in conflict with the current Brazilian government. Musk-owned X (formerly Twitter) last year rejected a request from the Brazilian government to block the accounts of Bolsonaro supporters spreading fake news. Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled in September that X should be kicked out for failing to comply with Brazil’s data protection regulations.
Musk countered by saying he would open Star Link for free. Starlink subscribers who are not dependent on a specific country’s communication network can continue to use X. There has been speculation that Starlink’s Brazilian business may also be in crisis, but even the Brazilian military authorities are relying on Starlink.
In the Amazon, where wired communication is difficult, low-orbit satellite communication is essential for border surveillance and operations to respond to illegal logging, but Brazilian authorities are completely dependent on Starlink.
Brazil has agreed to work with China’s National Data Administration to ensure that SpaceSail complies with Brazilian data regulations and can serve as an alternative to civil and military satellite services.
China decided to import sorghum, sesame seeds, and fresh grapes from Brazil. Brazil also tried to export pork and beef offal, but it is expected to be postponed until at least next year due to quarantine issues, Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post reported. China is trying to overcome the controversy over overproduction by opening agricultural markets to developing countries such as Africa and Southeast Asia.
Here are two PAA-related questions based on the provided text:
## World Today News Interview: Xi Jinping-Lula Summit
**Welcome to World Today News! Today we’re analyzing the recent summit meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Lula da Silva. Joining me are two esteemed guests, Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a leading expert on Sino-Latin American relations, and Mr. Peter Chen, a specialist in international trade and development.**
**Dr. Rodriguez, let’s start with the big picture. What were the key takeaways from this summit, and how does it fit into the broader context of China’s growing influence in Latin America?**
**Dr. Rodriguez:**
**(Response will focus on geopolitical implications, China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the region, and the evolving role of the US in the face of increased Chinese influence).**
**Mr. Chen, the summit resulted in 37 agreements covering a wide range of sectors. Can you elaborate on the economic significance of these agreements, particularly focusing on the agricultural and technological aspects?**
**Mr. Chen:**
**(Response will delve into specific agreements like agricultural exports, China’s investment in Brazil’s infrastructure, and the potential impact on global supply chains, addressing both the opportunities and potential challenges).**
**The article highlights the entry of a Chinese company, Spacesale, into Brazil’s satellite communication market, currently dominated by Elon Musk’s Starlink. This move seems particularly noteworthy, given the recent tensions between Musk and the Brazilian government. Mr. Chen, what are the potential implications of this development for both Brazil and the global space industry?**
**Mr. Chen:**
**(Response will discuss the implications for data privacy, competition in the satellite communication sector, and the broader geopolitical implications of China’s foray into space technology).**
**Dr. Rodriguez, China has faced criticism for some of its economic practices in Africa and Southeast Asia. How do you see Brazil navigating this potential dilemma, balancing its economic interests with concerns about China’s influence?**
**Dr. Rodriguez:**
**(Response will explore Brazil’s own geopolitical goals, its relationship with the US, and the potential for Brazil to leverage its position to negotiate favorable agreements with both China and other global players).**
**looking ahead, what are the key factors that will determine the long-term impact of this summit on the relationship between China and Brazil? What are the potential opportunities and challenges that lie ahead?**
**(Both guests will share their perspectives on the future of Sino-Brazilian relations, considering the complex geopolitical landscape, economic interdependence, and the evolving global order.
**We thank Dr. Rodriguez and Mr. Chen for their insightful analysis. This summit undoubtedly marks a significant moment in Sino-Brazilian relations, and its implications will continue to be debated for years to come. Thank you for joining us on World Today News.**
