Beijing nervous about Brazil’s China-bashing presidential candidate, Jair Bolsonaro
- Chinese diplomats have met election front runner’s advisers to highlight cooperation with South America’s largest country
- But would-be leader has accused China of trying to buy Brazil
The Chinese government is trying to make peace with Brazil’s leading presidential candidate, Jair Bolsonaro, whose China-bashing threatens to chill a profitable trading relationship that has benefited both countries.
Chinese diplomats based in Brasilia have met twice with top Bolsonaro advisers in recent weeks, according to participants in the meetings. Their aim is to highlight cooperation with Latin America’s largest country, whose grain and minerals have fuelled China’s rise while lifting millions of Brazilians out of poverty in the resulting commodities boom.
Bolsonaro has portrayed China, its largest trading partner, as a predator looking to dominate key sectors of its economy.
With its own economy slowing, China cannot afford to become embroiled in another costly trade war as it has with the United States.
Two-way trade between China and Brazil stood at US$75 billion last year, according to Brazilian government statistics. China has invested US$124 billion in the South American country since 2003, mostly in the oil, mining and energy sectors, and Beijing is eager to bankroll railway, port and other infrastructure projects to speed the movement of its Brazilian grain.
But the far-right Bolsonaro, much like US President Donald Trump, has criticised China repeatedly on the campaign trail, saying the Chinese should not be allowed to own Brazilian land or control key industries. An ardent nationalist, Bolsonaro is expected to win a landslide victory at the polls on Sunday.