Brazil Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira meets Wang Yi and Han Zheng in Beijing

China’s top diplomat said on Monday that Beijing and Brasilia should “jointly repel external challenges”, as the two countries opened a high-level strategic dialogue in Beijing.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remark during a visit by his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira, who arrived in the Chinese capital this weekend for the fifth Global Strategic Dialogue between the two governments.

“Practical cooperation in all areas has been steadily enhanced, and the two peoples have never been so close,” Wang said. He added that Beijing supported Brazil in safeguarding its national sovereignty.

The dialogue, a political coordination mechanism, runs until Tuesday. The previous round was held in Brasilia in January 2024.

Vieira and Wang co-chaired the talks at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, one of the main venues of Chinese diplomacy. The session followed separate meetings with Vice-President Han Zheng and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.

Wang Yi said the partnership had “solid foundations” and extended beyond trade into technology and innovation. He said both countries had “shown responsibility in defending the interests of the Global South and multilateralism”, and also thanked Brazil for its commitment to the One China principle.