China, Brazil lawmakers bat for just global order
April 15, 2014, 12:25 pm

The head of China’s parliament, Zhang Dejiang held talks with visiting Head of Brazil’s lower house of Parliament, Henrique Eduardo Alves in Beijing on Monday [Xinhua]

The head of China’s parliament, Zhang Dejiang held talks with visiting Head of Brazil’s lower house of Parliament, Henrique Eduardo Alves in Beijing on Monday, underlining the need for the two nations “to promote a more just and equitable international order”

Zhang, one of China’s most powerful men on the seven-man Politburo Standing Committee, said the Chinese National People’s Congress (NPC) attaches great importance to its relations with Brazil.

The Chinese leader proposed to enhance exchanges between the two countries’ parliaments at various levels.

Beijing will push for sharing governance experience with Brasilia regarding economic development, improving people’s living standards and maintaining social stability, said Zhang. He was referring to Brazil’s success in lifting 3.5 million people out of poverty and more than a million out of extreme poverty in 2012.

Both China and Brazil, alongwith the rest of the BRICS are struggling with a growing income disparity and a widening economic divide among the population.

However, Brazilian social welfare programs like Brasil Sem Miséria and Bolsa Família, have brought millions out of poverty. Brazil’s annual federal welfare spending is currently over 30 billion reais.

On Monday, China’s top legislator urged Beijing and Brasilia to also cement strategic coordination on “major issues such as global governance and climate change, to promote a more just and equitable international order”.

Brazil and China are like-minded in regard to the principles of the non-use of force in international relations, reflected in their stand on Syria and Iran.

Brazilian lawmaker, Henrique Eduardo Alves, who is president of the Chamber of Deputies, is on a week-long visit to China.

 TBP and Agencies