Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao meets President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 24. (Feng Yongbin/China Daily)

Brazil Wants China to Invest in Infrastructure Sector

Despite the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s administration pivot toward the United States amid trade war, Brazil still wants to maintain warm relations with China. Vice President Hamilton Mourao told journalists after his last month visit to Beijing that Chinese investment is welcome, especially in the infrastructure sector, as long as it creates local jobs and follows Brazilian rules.

Even though he had not spoken about any particular infrastructure projects with China, but Mourao sees a space for partnerships in the road, rail, and port projects. Besides infrastructure, he also noted that cooperation in science and technology can be an area of potential growth for both nations. For instance, Brazil's Alcantara satellite launch near the equator. Despite a deal that has been agreed with Washington to safeguard US space technology, he said China could also become a partner at the base.

Mourao described Brazil’s position as pragmatic and flexible regarding the trade war between the United States and China—where it seeks to make decisions based on Brazilian interest without taking sides. Within the current administration, the Vice President and other business-oriented members of the government desire to maximize partnership with the Asian giant. While on the other side, President Bolsonaro and his radical appointees perceive China as a predatory economy in Brazil. During his pre-election campaign last year, Bolsonaro stated that China may be able to invest in Brazil but not to own it.

In his interview with journalists recently, Mourao recognized the need to balance the Bolsonaro administration’s desire to turn side on the United States with practical considerations that China has significance to Brazil’s economy. Therefore, his recent visit to China was a part of the effort to reset the sentiment in Bolsonaro-China relationship.

According to Brazilian government figures, between 2003 and 2018 the Chinese investment reached almost US$134 billion in Brazil.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/brazil-wants-china-to-invest-in-its-infrastructure-projects-11625912