Wang Yi: China, Brazil should defend multilateralism, reject bullying

In a meeting with his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China and Brazil should stay committed to multilateralism and reject unilateralism and acts of bullying.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the two countries should uphold free trade, oppose protectionism and never allow the law of the jungle to run rampant.

The meeting came as Wang was in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro for the Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations. He is also scheduled to attend the 15th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security in Brasilia on Wednesday.

During his meeting with Vieira, Wang said China will fully support Brazil in fulfilling its duties as the BRICS chair of the year, boost greater BRICS cooperation, make the BRICS voice stronger, and uphold the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries.

For his part, Vieira said Brazil is ready to work with China to maintain close high-level exchanges and expand practical cooperation in economy and trade, space, science and technology, health and other fields.

Noting that the international landscape is fraught with complex factors and that multilateralism and free trade are under serious attack, he said it is important for Brazil and China and other BRICS countries to strengthen solidarity and coordination and jointly tackle global challenges.

(Cover: The national flags of China and Brazil. /VCG)