The President of Brazil, Lula Da Silvarescheduled his visit to China after suffering from pneumonia and announced that he will meet with Xi Jinping between April 11 and 14, according to sources from the Planalto palace.
The Ministry of Communication announced that the trip is now stipulated to take place “between April 11 and 14”to deepen commercial and diplomatic relations with the main commercial partner of the Brazilian country.
The South American president was forced to suspend the meeting last Saturday. Doctor Ana Germoglio diagnosed the leader of the Workers Party (PT) with a “bacterial and viral bronchopneumonia due to influenza A, treatment being initiated”.
“After an evaluation, despite the clinical improvementthe medical service of the Presidency recommends postpone the trip to China until the viral transmission cycle is closed”, added in the text sent by the Secretariat of Communication of Brazil.
Lula and Xi Jinping’s agenda
The diplomatic meeting, which was initially scheduled for the end of March, included on the agenda global issues such as strengthening trade relations between the two countries and the war in Ukraine.
In addition, for the Brazilian tour of the Asian giant, a delegation was expected with 240 businessmen and more than 40 parliamentarians. Besides, Dilma Rousseff was going to be presented as the owner of the bank of the bricshe New Development Bankbased in Shanghai.
The Brazilian president’s pneumonia seemed to frustrate what was looming as a positive encounter between both leaders. In a context of international isolation in certain countries, marked by the former president Jair BolsonaroLula seeks to resume the “South American integrationcane” and a “high and active” dialogue with United States, Europe and China.
Bilateral trade between China and Brazil reached its record in 2022: the figures reached US$150.5 billion, with Brazilian exports at US$89.7 billion. Brazil, moreover, is the main destination for Chinese investment in Latin America (48%) according to the Brazil-China Business Council.
Source: Ambito
