China-Latin America cooperation boosts global sustainable development

After years of struggling with water shortages, residents in three water-scarce communities in Joao Camara, a municipality in Brazil, finally celebrated the arrival of a life-changing solution.

In February last year, the Joao Camara desalination project, built by a Chinese enterprise, was officially completed and handed over, delivering clean, high-quality drinking water to local populations. This remarkable desalination project, a key initiative under China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), embodies the spirit of "people-to-people connectivity."

Nestled in a semi-arid region with plenty of sunshine but plagued by brackish groundwater and surface water unfit for consumption, the project is a beacon of innovation. It combines cutting-edge Chinese technologies with a focus on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Capable of producing over 75 tons of purified drinking water daily, it meets international health standards and benefits more than 3,000 residents.

At the project's inauguration, Chinese Ambassador to Brazil Zhu Qingqiao highlighted its significance, calling it a symbol of deepening China-Brazil cooperation that tangibly improves local livelihoods. Despite the vast distance between the two nations, their partnership shines as an example of mutual support and shared progress, added Zhu.

China-Latin America cooperation provides insights for G20

In recent years, aside from Brazil, China and Latin American countries have expanded their cooperation beyond traditional industries like energy and agriculture, venturing into cutting-edge fields such as the digital economy; low-carbon and smart agriculture; biotechnology; artificial intelligence; and aerospace. These initiatives not only strongly supported the global sustainable development, but offer a model of mutually beneficial South-South cooperation.

The cooperative spirit also aligns closely with the theme of the upcoming G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro: "Building a just world and a sustainable planet." Since assuming the G20 presidency in December last year, Brazil has prioritized combating hunger, poverty and inequality, while promoting sustainable development and advocating for reforms in global governance.

As key countries of the Global South, China and Brazil share aligned perspectives on critical issues related to peace and development. On platforms like the UN, G20 and BRICS, the two nations collaborate to oppose decoupling, unilateralism and bloc politics while advocating for fairness and justice in global governance.

Experts underline that, amid rising geopolitical tensions, the strong economic partnership between China and Latin America offers a significant contribution to global sustainability. It also provides valuable insights for fostering development-focused deliberations within the G20 framework.

Shared vision for sustainable development

Brazilian Development Bank President Aloizio Mercadante highlighted the increasing importance of South-South cooperation in a world marked by geopolitical instability and escalating trade disputes. He pointed out at a G20 think tank forum last month that China's substantial investments in Brazil's renewable energy and green industries over the past decade demonstrate how collective action can effectively address climate change and drive sustainable development.

Both China and Brazil are committed to accelerating the low-carbon energy transition. They have made substantial investments in solar, wind, biomass and hydrogen energy. During Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's visit to China in April last year, the two nations issued a joint statement on deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership, which underscored their shared commitment to renewable energy development, energy transition and efficiency improvements.

Lula also talked with Chinese business leaders from clean energy, power grid and new energy vehicle sectors. One of them was the founder of BYD company, which pledged to invest 10 billion reals (about $1.74 billion) in Brazil by 2025. The investment will not only expand electric vehicle production but also advance solar energy initiatives in the country.

Trade between China and Latin America has grown significantly, now exceeding $500 billion annually, and 22 Latin American and Caribbean countries have signed BRI cooperation memorandums of understanding with China, according to the official data. 

Additionally, China is the second-largest trading partner of the region and the largest for countries such as Brazil, Chile and Peru. To promote trade liberalization and facilitate economic integration, China also signed free trade agreements with five Latin American nations: Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Nicaragua.

At a press briefing on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized the G20's pivotal role on the global stage. She noted that, in the face of sluggish global development, the G20 serves as a crucial platform for fostering international cooperation and steering global economic governance toward greater fairness and inclusivity.

She added that China advocates for multilateral collaboration and promoting sustainable development. "We are willing to work with all parties to ensure the Rio de Janeiro Summit achieves positive outcomes in upholding multilateralism, building an open world economy and supporting sustainable development."