China congratulates Lula on narrow Brazil election victory, pledges stronger ties
Key Takeaways
China congratulates Lula after his 51.79 per cent victory over Flavio Bolsonaro.
Beijing reiterates its non-interference policy following Vucic's electoral defeat.
China addresses border tensions with India and confirms Kim Jong Un's visit to Dandong.
Beijing welcomes Lula's re-election over Flavio Bolsonaro while addressing political developments in Serbia, border tensions with India and relations with North Korea.
China has pledged to strengthen diplomatic relations with Brazil following President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's narrow re-election victory over Flavio Bolsonaro.
Speaking at a press briefing in Beijing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun congratulated Lula and expressed China's willingness to expand cooperation with Brasilia.
"China takes note of the announcement by Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court of President Lula’s runoff victory and extends congratulations on that. China stands ready to work with Brazil to advance the building of the China-Brazil community with a shared future," Guo said during a daily press conference in Beijing.
According to Brazil's official election results, Lula secured 51.79 per cent of valid votes in Sunday's presidential run-off, defeating Bolsonaro, who received 48.21 per cent.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
LIVE: Lula stays in power, beats Bolsonaro in stunning comeback
Bolsonaro rejected the election outcome, but Beijing declined to address his accusations, maintaining that it respected the decision of Brazilian voters.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry also commented on political developments in Serbia following Sunday's parliamentary election.
Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat to a student-led movement but accused European governments and opponents of US President Donald Trump of supporting efforts to remove him from power.
The allegations have not been independently established.
Responding to questions about Serbia, Guo reiterated China's position on political developments in other countries.
"China upholds the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and respects the independent choice of the people of other countries," Guo noted.
The briefing also addressed renewed tensions between China and India along their disputed border.
India's Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the situation becomes unstable when Chinese troops move away from "established patrolling patterns".
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Fertilizer shipments through Strait of Hormuz fall to zero as food security fears grow
Guo defended China's border activities, insisting that its forces were operating within existing agreements.
"China strictly abides by the relevant agreements and common understandings reached between the two countries, and conducts normal border patrol and control activities to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and stability in the border areas," Guo noted.
He also called for continued cooperation between Beijing and New Delhi to maintain stability.
"China and India maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels. We hope that India will work with China in the same direction by jointly implementing the common understandings reached between the two sides and maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas with concrete actions," he continued.
On relations with North Korea, Guo confirmed that senior Chinese official Wang Huning accompanied DPRK leader Kim Jong Un during his visit to Dandong on Saturday.
Wang conveyed greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping during the visit.
Kim toured a car factory and a Korean War memorial in the Chinese border city, with Beijing describing the visit as a demonstration of its commitment to maintaining close relations with Pyongyang.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
