Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will begin his delayed visit to China on Tuesday. The visit is of significance as both the nations focus on boosting bilateral trade.
According to analysts, the trade and investment will rise to a higher level with also a focus on finance, and poverty. Lula is set to arrive in Shanghai before travelling to Beijing where he will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Friday.
Lula had planned the visit for late March, however it had to be rescheduled after he was diagnosed with pneumonia. 240 business representatives from various fields including government ministries, senate and congressmen will accompany Lula during the visit.
Over 20 deals are expected to be signed including fields such as health, agriculture, education, finance, industry and science and technology.
The main goal of the visit is to diversify the country's trade relationship with China, which mainly imports soybeans and iron ore from the nation. Also, Brazil is one of the few countries that is yet to join China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is also known as the New Silk Road—one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects connecting China with rest of the world.
“If Lula's trip can make Brazil formally join the BRI, then it means there will be 22 Latin American countries formally in China-proposed initiative, which has a great significance to show that the initiative is greatly welcomed in the continent,” Guo Cunhai, an expert in Latin American studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences was quoted by the Global Times.
Discussions on the Ukraine war is likely to be on the table as well. Brazil has always taken a stand to end the war. The discussions are in the wake of the Russian President Putin's meeting with the Chinese leader last month.
Lula has been eager to end the war and has reportedly said that "Brazil could make an extraordinary contribution to end the war."
Lula will also meet business leaders and visit headquarters of the New Development Bank in Shangai, established by BRICS.
Lula was sworn in for his third term as president in January to tackle issues including poverty, low growth, high inflation and hunger.
China has been Brazil's trading partner for 14 years. According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, Brazil is China's biggest supplier of soybeans, chicken and sugar.
Unlike Bolsonaro, Lula and his left-wing Workers' Party have traditionally taken a more friendly view towards the country.
Lula had visited China twice in 2004 and 2009. He met with the former Chinese president Hu Jintao eight times.
