Zhu Qingqiao, Chinese Ambassador to Brazil, participates in the Annual Conference of the Brazil-China Business Council (CEBC) at the Renaissance Sao Paulo Hotel in central Sao Paulo, Brazil on October 13, 2025. Photo: CFP

By Brasil 247 - China's ambassador to Brazil, Zhu Qingqiao, declared on Monday (Oct. 13) in São Paulo that China "stands firmly on the right side of history" and "opposes all forms of hegemonism and intimidation." The remarks came during the opening ceremony of the Annual Conference of the Brazil-China Business Council (CEBC).

China remains firmly on the right side of history and resolutely opposes practices of hegemonism and intimidation, as well as trends of deglobalization, Zhu said, reaffirming China's position as a defender of multipolarity.

The ambassador said the world is undergoing "unprecedented changes", marked by "turbulence and transformation," but added that the "historic trend of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit is irresistible."

The rise of the Global South and the decline of Western dominance

Zhu emphasized the growing influence of the Global South, describing it as one of the defining shifts of the 21st century. He pointed to the expansion of the BRICS group as a turning point in global governance, driving the emergence of a more just multipolar world and a more inclusive form of globalization.

Zhu argued that China rejects "zero-sum confrontation" and remains committed to multilateralism, free trade, and reforming global governance. He cited Beijing's recent decision to forgo special privileges in World Trade Organization negotiations as an example of China's willingness to "lead by example" in defending the multilateral trading system.

China-Brazil partnership as a model for the Global South

The ambassador described China-Brazil relations as a cornerstone of South-South cooperation, noting that the two countries share similar ambitions for peace, prosperity, and social progress. "As the largest developing nations in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, China and Brazil share common aspirations for peace, development, and mutual benefit," Zhu said.

He cited the close coordination between the China-Brazil High-Level Coordination and Cooperation Committee (COSBAN) and the integration of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative with Brazilian development programs such as the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) and the "Nova Indústria Brasil" plan.

According to Zhu, these frameworks have produced tangible results in areas such as infrastructure, innovation, energy transition, and financial cooperation, including the use of local currencies and the issuance of so-called "Panda Bonds."

Expanding trade, technology, and green cooperation

Zhu noted that China has been Brazil's largest trading partner for more than a decade, with Brazilian exports surpassing $100 billion annually since 2023. He highlighted significant growth in exports of coffee, beef, and soybeans to China, along with a surge in Chinese investment in electric vehicles, renewable energy, delivery services, and infrastructure.

The ambassador also pointed to deepening technological cooperation, citing joint projects in artificial intelligence, modern agriculture, and the digital economy. Among them, he mentioned the China-Brazil Center for AI Applications and the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS), which plays a key role in monitoring Amazon deforestation.

"China will fully support Brazil in hosting COP30, helping the country leave a distinct Brazilian mark on the global climate agenda," Zhu said.

The more turbulent the times, the greater the need for firmness

"The more turbulent the times, the more firmly we must stand at the forefront," Zhu said, adding that China-Brazil cooperation remains a model of mutual benefit and solidarity among Global South nations.

The ambassador urged both countries to deepen the alignment of their development strategies, foster innovation, and prioritize sustainable, high-quality projects that promote growth and improve people's livelihoods in both nations.

(Reported by Brasil 247 on October 13, 2025)