China-Latin America cooperation conducive to own, common interests: FM

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang on Thursday said the cooperation between China and Latin American nations including Brazil serve not only the interests of their own but also the common interests of China and Latin America.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang speaks at the daily press briefing on January 3, 2018. [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn]

As an important emerging market, Brazil is fully aware where its interests are and does not need to be taught by others, Lu said.

He made the remarks in response to media reports that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, when meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo, that the United States is different to some other countries which make investments not for commercial reasons but for political reasons.

The reports claimed that China was likely one of the "other countries," though Pompeo did not mention China by name.

"I have noted relevant reports," Lu said. "I have also noticed that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, in his meeting with President Xi Jinping's special envoy Ji Bingxuan, said Brazil and China are both great countries and the new government of Brazil attaches great importance to cooperation with China and is willing to push forward bilateral relations."

Bolsonaro also said the prospect for cooperation between the two countries would become better, according to Lu.

"I would like to reiterate that, under the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, the cooperation between China and Latin American countries including Brazil is not only in our own respective interests, but is also conducive to promoting the common interests of China and Latin American countries," he said.