China’s ambassador to Brazil, Yang Wanming, regrets “damage” caused to civilians in Ukraine and defends respect for the countries’ sovereignty, but maintains Beijing’s position of criticizing NATO expansion and supporting Russia, which invaded Ukraine and triggered the most serious military crisis in Europe in decades.
“The security environment in Eastern Europe has changed [com a expansão da Otan]. Countries must reflect on the causes of the current situation,” she told sheet by email the diplomat, who is leaving the country to take on new responsibilities in China.
Beijing abstained from voting on resolutions condemning the invasion of Ukraine at the Security Council and the UN General Assembly and said it would not apply financial sanctions similar to those imposed by the West against Moscow.
During little more than three years at the head of the representation in Brasília, the ambassador saw relations between the countries go through turmoil. President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and allies launched attacks against China, and Yang, following the “warrior wolf” posture of Beijing diplomacy, entered into more than one virtual exchange with federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (União Brasil-SP). ).
The then Chancellor Ernesto Araújo even asked for the diplomat’s head — and was ignored. With the change of leadership at Itamaraty and the election of Joe Biden in the US, the federal government’s anti-China squad became more discreet. Yang, with his bags packed, declares: “Time and facts are proving that a Sino-Brazilian relationship based on mutual respect corresponds to the common interest”.
The war in Ukraine has already caused hundreds of civilian and military deaths. Mr. Do you think Russia’s opposition to NATO enlargement justifies the invasion? China is deeply saddened to see the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and extremely concerned about the damage done to civilians. China always defends respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. At the same time, the issue has evolved in a complex historical context. After five consecutive rounds of eastward expansion by NATO, the security landscape in Eastern Europe has long since changed, and the situation is extremely unstable. Countries should reflect on the causes of the current situation.
China believes that the security of one country should not be achieved at the expense of the security of others and that regional security cannot be achieved by expanding military blocs. The Cold War mentality must be discarded. China urges the parties to maintain the necessary restraint to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. In particular, large-scale humanitarian crises must be avoided. China supports and encourages all diplomatic efforts that lead to a peaceful resolution.
Are relations between Brazil and China better today than they were three years ago? Brazil, as a rising power, deserves the respect of the whole world. Serving in this country is a source of pride for me. It was three years of great changes in the international situation. An unexpected pandemic has put the world into a period of unrest and transformation.
In this context, it is gratifying to see that Sino-Brazilian relations have become even more mature. Xi Jinping and Jair Bolsonaro exchanged visits, bilateral dialogues took place in all spheres. We are very grateful for the precious solidarity in the first outbreaks of Covid-19. In return, China has done everything possible to secure the supply of vaccines and APIs. [insumo farmacêutico ativo] when Brazil was experiencing the worst moments of the crisis.
I am convinced that time and facts will prove that a Sino-Brazilian relationship based on mutual respect, equality and cooperation corresponds to the common interest of both countries and their peoples — and will certainly yield even more fruitful results.
In an interview with Folha, former foreign minister Celso Amorim stated that, in a possible new Lula government, rapprochement with China would be “inevitable”. How do you see this statement? Brazil is independent and sovereign. The 48 years of diplomatic relations prove that China and Brazil are capable of putting aside ideological or political differences in order to achieve common progress. China always sees its relationship with Brazil from a strategic and long-term perspective. The policy does not change as a result of circumstances or one-off incidents.
In the 5G auction in Brazil, there were no restrictions on operators using Huawei components, despite US pressure. But it is part of the business to build a private network for the government, without using company components. China respects all countries’ sovereign choice of 5G partners. However, it is firmly opposed to the US-imposed suppression of Chinese companies without factual basis and to gross interference by the US with the aim of serving its own interest of containing China’s development at the expense of the interests of others.
Brazil made the right decision not to place restrictions on Huawei equipment. We count on efforts to create a business environment within the parameters of impartiality and non-discrimination of Chinese companies.
Bilateral trade between China and Brazil reached a record US$138 billion in 2021 despite the pandemic. But investment has fallen more than in other countries (from US$13 billion in 2010 to US$4 billion in 2021). What are the difficulties? Despite the impact caused by the pandemic, Chinese investments maintained considerable contributions to the Brazilian market. We are fully willing to join forces to provide investors with stable and predictable conditions and policies, leading cooperation to gain new vigor in the post-pandemic period.
Officials have announced that China will increase its domestic soy production by 40%, with the aim of eventually becoming self-sufficient. Brazil exported US$27.2 billion worth of soybeans and derivatives to China in 2021, almost 30% of total exports to the country. With the Chinese goal, how is bilateral trade? China is the biggest consumer and importer of soy in the world. In 2021, Chinese production was 16.4 million tons, but consumption was above 100 million. If we consider arable land, demand and real production, it is impossible for national products to supply all consumption. On the contrary, imports tend to grow continuously, there will be no significant change in the current situation.
How does China view the record increase in deforestation in Brazil? Could this affect trade? We note that Brazil has presented ambitious emission reduction targets and a green growth plan in line with its national conditions. The Chinese government fulfills the legal obligation to verify that imported products meet safety, hygiene, health and environmental protection standards. At the same time, it rejects the abuse of so-called green barriers for protectionist measures.
China has overtaken Brazil as Argentina’s biggest trading partner. Some Brazilian industries claim that there has been a diversion of trade and that it is necessary to impose higher tariffs on Chinese products to correct distortions. like mr. see this? In the age of globalization, the world market is like an ocean. It is no longer possible to channel these waters back into isolated lakes. Changing the global layout of industries can be a painful process, every country has to face it, and China is no exception. But the way out does not lie in protectionism.
Brazil has significant advantages in terms of its industrial base, commercialization networks and geographic location. Chinese and Brazilian companies can turn their competition into earning opportunities through closer cooperation.
Argentina has just become part of the Belt and Road Initiative. Has China discussed the entry of Brazil with the government? The initiative is a public platform created by China, but open to all countries without any geopolitical considerations. More than 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have signed cooperation documents under it. We consider Brazil to be an important actor and a long time ago we invited it to join. We are willing to continue discussions.
President Alberto Fernández told Xi that he would like Argentina to join the BRICS. How does China see the idea? As the rotating chairman of the BRICS, China is willing to build a broader, more intense, more pragmatic and more inclusive partnership, so that the bloc plays a greater role in defending multilateralism, safeguarding the interests of emerging and developing countries.
Several countries have held a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics in protest of human rights violations by the Uighurs. The nation was not invited to Biden’s 2021 Democracy Summit, which was attended by more than 100 guests, including Taiwan. Is China a democratic regime? In China, people’s democracy is practiced for the whole process, through elections, political consultations, decision-making, governance and supervision, so that the will of the people is reflected in all aspects.
The world is multifaceted and richly nuanced. However, in the narratives of some Western countries, a party that remains in power for a long time is considered authoritarian or despotic – even if it has led the country to achieve the miracle of lasting social stability and accelerated economic growth and has gained widespread support. of the population.
Such prejudice stems either from a myopic and distorted understanding of democracy and human rights or from a dark agenda to curtail other countries. Instead of making democracy and human rights a tool of politicization, China respects the sovereignty of each nation in opening its own path of development and democracy.
