President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said his upcoming visit to China is aimed at strengthening the Brazilian-Chinese strategic partnership.
In a written interview with Xinhua ahead of his visit on Monday, Lula said he understands that the strategic partnership consists of three key elements, namely, trade, scientific cooperation and coordination in international affairs.
China overtook the United States last month as Brazil's biggest trading partner. Lula said Brazil is interested in increasing finished industrial products to its exports to China which currently consists mainly of raw materials.
"Brazil has huge potential in exporting high value-added products and bilateral trade could therefore become more balanced and sustainable," Lula said.
The president also expressed hope that China would be able to raise its investments in Brazil's high-tech sectors. "Just like Brazil's aero-maker Embraer in Harbin, China," he said.
In January 2003, China Aviation Industry Corporation II and Embraer jointly contributed to the establishment of the Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Co. in the northern Chinese city of Harbin.
On scientific cooperation, Lula said the two sides should continue their joint work on satellite research, and start cooperation in bio-energy and bio-technology development.
China and Brazil in 1988 launched an earth resources exploring satellite program known as CBERS, and three satellites have so far been launched. The information collected by the satellites is offered to other developing countries for free. The project is considered a model for South-South cooperation.
Brazil, as the world's leading bio-fuel producer, also boasts advanced technology in the production of ethanol and bio-diesel. Brazil and China could jointly develop alternative energies that could have huge potential in the future, Lula said.
He said Brazil and China, as two of the world's biggest developing nations, are playing increasingly important roles in international affairs. Both sides should strengthen coordination in the reform of international financial institutions, he said.
"It is the moment now to break the old economic order. The economic power of the two countries (Brazil and China) has enabled them to contribute to building a fairer and sustainable management mechanism," Lula said.
He said the Brazilian-Chinese strategic partnership, established in 1993, could broaden the alliance between the two countries and other emerging ones, and may even lead to a new global economic, scientific and trade landscape in the 21st century.
Referring to international efforts to tackle the financial crisis, Lula said the international community should take measures to adjust financial regulations and stabilize trade flows.
Brazil supports the proposal by China's central bank to create a new super-sovereign reserve currency to help reform the global monetary system, Lula said.
"Brazil considers a new international reserve currency could help improve market flows, reduce future market uncertainties and reliance on the US dollar," he said.
Lula also urged the international community to resume the stalled World Trade Organization Doha Round talks to prevent further decline in the global trade volume.
Lula's China visit is the second leg of a three-nation tour, which has already taken him to Saudi Arabia. He will also visit Turkey.
(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2009)
