Yara Aquino and Luiz Antonio Alves (summary) Reporters Agência Brasil

Brasília – In private conversations, president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Hu Jintao, the president of China, expressed the desire to pursue closer commercial relations as they signed agreements dealing with culture, agriculture and petroleum. Lula declared that Hu Jintao was more than a great statesman, “We welcome him here in Brazil as a friend.”
Lula said that the two countries had an obligation to fight for “another international order,” as both sought progress and improvements in the state of humanity through multilateral organizations in a world that is asymmetrical and dysfunctional.
Lula pointed out the difference between this visit and the visit Hu Jintao made in 2004. “Like China, Brazil has advanced in its development. We have overcome economic and social vulnerabilities that have been part of our history.” An important example of this is that since Lula took office bilateral Brazil-China trade has risen 780%.
 But Lula pointed out that Brazil’s domestic economy was vigorous and responsible for much of the country’s growth.
Lula and Hu Jintao signed a Joint Action Plan that outlines activities for the period 2010 to 2014. “This plan is a tool that will enable us to coordinate better and achieve our goals and fulfill the aspirations of our people,” said Lula. The plan sets up a strategic partnership based on concrete goals for bilateral cooperation.
Hu Jintao spoke of a “fruitful” relationship based on a variety of cooperation mechanisms and diversified bilateral commerce.

Allen Bennett – translator/editor The News in English