China-Brazil Relations: Beijing hosts red carpet ceremony for Brazilian VP

World
Europe

02:17

Brazil's Vice President Hamilton Mourao continues his 5-day China visit. His Chinese counterpart Wang Qishan hosted a welcome ceremony for him on Thursday afternoon in Beijing. Both leaders also sat down for talks on issues including trade facilitation. CGTN reporter Wang Mengzhen has the details.

The military band is ready with the red carpet rolled out.

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan welcomes visiting Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao to the Great Hall of the People.

Starting Sunday, Mourao's visit is said to include a meeting with President Xi Jinping and CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang. He is also expected to chair a plenary session of the Chinese-Brazilian High-Level Cooperation Commission known as COSBAN. The official visit is widely seen as a positive sign for warming bilateral relations.

MAURICIO SANTORO, POLITICAL ANALYST RIO DE JANEIRO STATE UNIVERSITY "The trip of General Mourao to China is very important -- much more than a usual mission of a vice president. It shows our political commitment to the relationship with China."

Earlier this week, the Brazilian Vice President also travelled to Shanghai sitting down with the city mayor and seeking more investment opportunities in China's business mecca. Bilateral trade has kept growing since the two established diplomatic ties 45 years ago. Since 2009, China has remained Brazil's largest trading partner.

According to Brazil's Ministry of Economy, the nation's exports to China totaled more than 66 billion US dollars last year. That represents about 28 percent of Brazil's total exports -- up 32 percent compared to 2017.

WANG MENGZHEN BEIJING "MOURAO will wrap up his China trip on Friday. Experts say the 5-day visit could lay a good foundation to more frequent high-level bilateral meetings later this year, including Brazilian president Bolsonaro's proposed visit to China. WMZ, CGTN, BEIJING."