In a significant display of international cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Brasilia on November 19 for a state visit to Brazil. His arrival was met with a warm welcome from Rui Costa, the Chief of Staff of the Brazilian Presidency, alongside several senior Brazilian officials.
The G20 Summit served as an ideal platform for China and Brazil to align their development interests. The two nations reinforced their commitment to combating hunger and poverty, with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva launching the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty at the summit. President Xi presented eight strategic actions aimed at bolstering China's global development efforts, including a commitment to join the newly launched alliance.
The collaborative efforts between China and Brazil have yielded remarkable results in poverty reduction and addressing food insecurity. Since China's reform and opening-up in 1978, the nation has lifted 800 million people out of poverty, contributing over 70 percent to global poverty alleviation. According to the World Bank's report, \"Poverty, Prosperity and the Planet,\" China's initiatives have reduced the global poverty rate from 38 percent in 1990 to 8.5 percent in 2024.
Under President Lula's leadership, Brazil has made significant strides in reducing extreme poverty. In 2023 alone, extreme poverty in Brazil decreased by 40 percent compared to the previous year. Additionally, 24.4 million Brazilians were freed from hunger, and the rate of severe food insecurity and malnutrition plummeted from 15.5 percent to 4.1 percent, marking a new national record.
The Sino-Brazilian partnership has proven to be an effective form of external aid, addressing critical issues related to poverty and food security. Data from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs revealed that in 2023, Brazil remained China's top source of agricultural imports, exporting $59 billion worth of products. This accounted for 24.85 percent of China's total agricultural imports, with soybeans, corn, and meat playing a crucial role in balancing China's food supply and demand.
Over the past two decades, China's imports from Brazil have grown significantly, enabling Brazil to reap substantial economic benefits. This trade relationship has provided essential support for improving the livelihoods of Brazilian citizens, fostering sustainable economic growth in the region.
Reference(s):
China-Brazil: Pioneers of co-development in the Global South
cgtn.com
