On August 12, President Xi Jinping spoke on the phone with Brazilian President Lula at the latter’s request.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China-Brazil relations are at their best in history, with the building of a China-Brazil community with a shared future and the alignment of the two countries’ development strategies getting off to a good start and progressing smoothly. China is willing to work with Brazil to seize opportunities, strengthen coordination, create more mutually beneficial cooperation outcomes, set an example of unity and self-reliance for major Global South countries, and jointly build a more just world and a more sustainable planet.

Lula stated that Brazil attaches great importance to its relations with China and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China, deepening strategic alignment, and promoting greater development of bilateral relations. Lula briefed on the recent situation in Brazil-U.S. relations and Brazil’s principled stance of firmly safeguarding its own sovereignty, applauding China’s adherence to multilateralism, upholding free trade rules, and playing a responsible role in international affairs. Brazil is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China in multilateral mechanisms such as BRICS, oppose unilateral bullying practices, and safeguard the common interests of all countries.

Xi Jinping stated that China supports the Brazilian people in defending their national sovereignty and supports Brazil in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests. All countries should unite and unequivocally oppose unilateralism and protectionism. The BRICS mechanism is an important platform for building consensus among the Global South. Congratulations were extended to Brazil for successfully hosting the BRICS Leaders’ Meeting. Global South countries should work together to uphold international fairness and justice, maintain the basic norms of international relations, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries. China and Brazil should continue to jointly address global challenges, ensure the success of the UN Climate Change Conference in Belém, and promote the role of the “Group of Friends for Peace” in facilitating a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis.

BRICS

BRICS is not a physical place or cultural site, but an acronym for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It began as “BRIC” in 2006, with South Africa joining in 2010 to form the current bloc, with the goal of enhancing cooperation and economic influence among its members on the global stage.

Global South

“Global South” is not a specific place but a geopolitical and socioeconomic term referring to nations across Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania that have historically been marginalized. It broadly encompasses countries with a colonial past that are often characterized by developing economies. The term emerged in the late 20th century as an alternative to “Third World” to describe these regions’ shared experiences and collective interests on the global stage.

UN Climate Change Conference

The UN Climate Change Conference is an annual international summit where world leaders and negotiators convene to discuss global action on climate change. It was established following the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992. These conferences, known as COPs (Conference of the Parties), have produced landmark agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.

Belém

Belém is a historic district in Lisbon, Portugal, famously known as the birthplace of many Age of Discovery voyages. Its history is commemorated through iconic monuments like the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites from the early 16th century. The area is also celebrated as the home of the original recipe for Portugal’s beloved pastéis de Belém egg tart pastries.

Group of Friends for Peace

The Group of Friends for Peace is a coalition of United Nations member states, first established in 2018, that aims to promote dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution. It serves as a platform for countries to coordinate and advocate for peacebuilding initiatives and the implementation of the UN’s sustaining peace agenda.

Ukraine crisis

The Ukraine crisis refers to the ongoing geopolitical conflict that escalated with Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and its support for separatist movements in the Donbas region, which culminated in a full-scale invasion in February 2022. This conflict has deep historical roots in Ukraine’s complex relationship with Russia and its pursuit of sovereignty and closer ties with the West. It has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, significant global political realignments, and a major European war.