(ECNS) -- China welcomes Brazil to join the Belt and Road family as soon as possible and looks forward to Brazil’s worldies in Belt and Road cooperation,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at a regular press conference on Thursday.
The spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks following Brazilian President Lula da Silvao’s interview.
During the interview, Silva said Brazil hopes to have a new strategic partnership with China in science, technology, and chip and software production, aiming to make the bilateral relationship “infinitely greater” and more prosperous.
The president said that China is an essential partner for Brazil’s economic growth and scientific and technological development and a partner Brazil will always take into account, and that Brazil hopes to work with China in the fight against hunger.
He also expressed a desire to discuss the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation with China, stating, “I want to know where we come in and what position we are going to play. We want to be a starter.”
In response, Mao pointed out that China and Brazil are major developing countries, important emerging economies and each other’s comprehensive strategic partners. China attaches great importance to its relationship with Brazil and China-Brazil relations have always been a priority in China’s diplomacy.
She said China stands ready to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to enhance greater synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Brazil’s development strategies such as the New Industry Brazil.
China aims for high-level and high-quality practical cooperation across the board between the two countries to better benefit the two peoples and contribute more to the development and prosperity of the world, Mao concluded.