Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has arrived in China for an official state visit, where he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss strengthening diplomatic ties, multilateral cooperation, and boosting Chinese investments in Brazil’s infrastructure, according to local media reports.
Among the high-priority topics is the potential construction of a fertilizer plant in the Brazilian state of Paraná—a move aimed at reducing Brazil’s dependence on imported urea and supporting its agricultural sector.
The official part of Lula’s visit will begin Monday, when he is scheduled to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Government officials in Brasília emphasize that while this visit signals closer ties with Beijing, it does not automatically signify an alliance with China, especially amid its ongoing trade tensions with the United States.
Lula’s team insists that the Brazilian president is committed to balancing international relations, regardless of the rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
Though this marks Lula’s third visit to China during his third term, he has yet to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump since the latter’s return to the White House in January. In a recent interview with The New Yorker, Lula criticized Trump’s expansionist rhetoric and simultaneously praised China’s emergence as a global force, advocating for diplomatic dialogue between the U.S. and China to avoid a global conflict.
During the visit, Lula and Xi are expected to sign over 20 agreements across sectors such as technology, agriculture, mining, investment, communications, healthcare, and education.
A key item on the agenda may also include a peace proposal for the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict.
