According to Huanqiu, citing Xinhua, Xi sent Lula a message on the 27th congratulating him on his re-election and crediting him with important contributions to China-Brazil relations. China's Foreign Ministry had already offered congratulations at its regular briefing on the 26th; the president-level message now follows.

Xi said the two leaders have stayed in close contact through various channels in recent years and have jointly advanced a ‘China-Brazil community with a shared future’, making new progress. He said the global, strategic and long-term significance of the relationship is increasingly evident and called it a model of solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries.

Cooperation ahead

Xi said he attaches great importance to the relationship and is willing to work with Lula to advance the community, broaden the prospects for comprehensive strategic coordination and improve the well-being of both peoples. No specific agreements or visits were mentioned in the report, and the content of Han Zheng's message to Alckmin was not detailed.

Earlier reports, including from Kyunghyang Shinmun, said Lula beat Senator Flavio Bolsonaro by a narrow margin in the runoff on the 25th to secure a fourth term. China is widely reported to be Brazil's largest trading partner, but this paper could not confirm recent trade figures, and no formal Brazilian reply has been confirmed.

How China's approach to Brazil affects Brasilia's ties with the United States and other powers is read differently by different parties. Beijing describes the relationship as one of equal cooperation. How Brasilia responds and shapes its foreign policy was not covered in the report and remains something to watch.