Over three months after Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Workers’ Party) and Xi Jinping raised the level of Brazil-China diplomatic relations, the measure appears to be flourishing. This is because economic and social rapprochement has been occurring between various sectors of the two countries, as was the case with the Conference on Economic and Commercial Exchange and Cooperation.
Organized by the Shandong province’s government and held in São Paulo, the event brought together Chinese and Brazilian businesspeople from different sectors, as well as authorities such as Shandong’s vice-governor, Song Junji, and Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro.
The Brazilian government minister was among the authorities who mentioned the agreements signed by Xi and Lula during the summit in Brasilia, Brazil’s capital, in November last year, stressing that the two countries want to make progress in the food sector, industry and mining.
“We need concrete measures to strengthen good diplomatic and commercial relations,” said Fávaro, calling for urgency in the regional context and cooperation within the BRICS.
“I’m sure that at times like these of geopolitical instability, the strengthening of the BRICS, the Global South, and Brazil-China relationship will be solid points for world stability,” he said. The vice-governor of Shandong also mentioned the agreements signed by Xi and Lula last year, which served to create the so-called Brazil-China Shared Future Community for a Fairer World and a More Sustainable Planet, a diplomatic term that elevated the status of the relationship between the countries.
For Song Junji, it is necessary to “Deepen cooperation to build a fairer world and a more sustainable planet”.
“[Shandong is] one of China’s most developed coastal provinces. President Xi has given us the mission of being at the forefront of this relationship with Brazil for sustainable, high-quality development,” he said.
Potentialities
If in the diplomatic sphere the two countries’ statements seem to be in tune, from an economic point of view both the government and the private sector are trying to get closer. At the conference, businesspeople from all sectors offered consultancy, technology, infrastructure, inputs, and various manufacturers. In return, they seek out a market and understand how Brazilian business works.
Shandong has plenty of industrial and financial resources. The region is the 4th largest exporter to China in 2024, and the 6th largest importer. From 2023 to 2024, the province grew by 6% and is undergoing a process of industrial renewal.
In the last year, the number Shandong-based high-tech companies exceeded 35,000 and there are over 50,000 tech start-ups. The Chinese province has 350 shipping routes, the largest cargo volume in China, and has been the country’s largest exporter of agricultural products for 26 consecutive years.
In 2023, Shandong’s economy reached a GDP of 9.2 trillion yuan (over US$1,2 trillion), making it China’s third-largest economy. All this growth has led the South China Morning Post to classify the region as having a “key role” in Beijing’s plans.
Brazil and Shandong
For the Shandong vice governor, the province and Brazil “Have complementary economies,” as the Chinese region could offer investments in “agro-industry, mining and renewable energies,” since the Brazilian territory has “Highly competitive agricultural and mineral commodities.”
Currently, Brazil is Shandong’s 9th main export destination, totaling US$ 1.3 billion in 2024. Imports totaled US$15.7 billion in 2024, making the country the 4th largest seller to the Chinese province.
The plan was provided for in the agreements Brazil and China signed in 2024. In all, 37 agreements were signed, including market openings for agricultural products, educational exchanges, technological cooperation, trade and investment, infrastructure, industry, energy, mining, finance, communications, sustainable development, tourism, sports, health and culture.
However, cooperation should not be limited to trade and production. For Shen Xin, vice president of the Chinese People’s Friendship Association with Foreign Countries, there is room for partnerships in communication, know-how and even art.
“We have to strengthen cooperation and establish exchange mechanisms between local governments. The world is undergoing changes and we need to build a community of shared destiny with think tanks and press outlets,” he said.
For the Chinese official, it is important to “Bet on innovation to deepen exchanges between sister cities and collaborate beyond traditional sectors, such as the green economy and digital commerce.”
“We know that harmony between nations and peaceful coexistence are characteristics of foreign affairs. Both China and Brazil have rich cultures and we want to create a vibrant environment between our peoples.”
