Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva explored new avenues for economic collaboration during a high-level meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, setting the stage for the 17th BRICS Summit this week.
In their first face-to-face discussion since Li's appointment, the leaders emphasized synergies between the world's second- and ninth-largest economies. "Our complementary strengths in technology and sustainable development create unprecedented opportunities," Premier Li stated, highlighting four key cooperation areas: digital economy infrastructure, green energy transitions, scientific research partnerships, and space exploration initiatives.
The dialogue comes as BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – prepare to address global financial architecture reforms and South-South cooperation mechanisms. Analysts note the China-Brazil partnership could influence emerging markets' positions on climate financing and digital currency systems.
With bilateral trade reaching $157 billion in 2023, both leaders reaffirmed commitments to streamline cross-border e-commerce and co-develop renewable energy projects in the Amazon and Yangtze River regions. The meeting concluded with agreements to establish joint working groups on 5G network compatibility standards and low-Earth orbit satellite coordination.
