BRICS brings about development and prosperity: Brazilians

China

BRICS brings about development and prosperity: Brazilians

2024-10-25 13:44 Last Updated At：20:57

Some Brazilians praise the BRICS for its positive impact on fostering development and prosperity among its member countries during an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN).

The 16th BRICS Summit, held Tuesday to Thursday in Kazan, Russia, is the first summit since the expansion of BRICS in early 2024.

As an important member of BRICS, Brazil possesses abundant natural resources and substantial market potential, making it one of the largest economies in Latin America.

Talking about the impact of the BRICS cooperation mechanism on Brazil, Brazilian film producer Roberta Guedes said the mechanism is attractive because it helps emerging economies strive to reach the level of major powers, laying a foundation for social and economic development.

"It is appealing because it assists emerging economies in striving to reach the level of major powers. Therefore, conservation, the agricultural sector, exports, imports, and technology exchange through BRICS are highly beneficial for Brazil," said Guedes.

Luiz Paulo Neto, a Brazilian psychoanalyst, said that "This enables us to be a part of a more powerful bloc."

The 16th BRICS Summit has drawn global attention and is believed to bring new economic and trade cooperation opportunities between China and other BRICS nations.

China's foreign trade with other BRICS member countries reached 4.62 trillion yuan (648 billion U.S. dollars) in the first nine months of 2024, a year-on-year increase of 5.1 percent, customs data showed.

Some people in Brazil are looking forward to the strengthening of bilateral trade between China and Brazil within the BRICS framework.

"China is Brazil's primary trading partner. China is a strong economy, having risen to become the world's second-largest economy over the past 30 years. This presents a beneficial business opportunity for both sides," said Sergio Farias, a writer.

"There is already a history of cooperation between Brazil and China in technology and investment. Brazil has consistently supported China, acknowledging it as one of the major global powers. I believe that through BRICS, this partnership will further strengthen," said Roberta Guedes.

Regarding future cooperation among BRICS countries, writer Sergio Farias said as BRICS gradually establishes itself as a powerful economic bloc, the economies of its member countries will continue to rise.

"So I believe there is a tendency, a perspective, that as BRICS establishes itself as a powerful economic bloc – constantly growing – because of the economies that are part of BRICS are economies that are very much on the rise," said Farias.

Meanwhile, Guedes is optimistic about tackling climate issues through cooperation within the BRICS framework.

"My expectation in this regard pertains to climate. It should be the primary topic of discussion both socially and economically, and I hold this expectation that through BRICS, it will evolve, grow, and develop," said Guedes.

China welcomes Winter Solstice with flavors of home

Chinese people across the country are embracing the Winter Solstice on Sunday by celebrating reunion with traditional dishes that vary by region, but all carry the warmth of home.

This year, the winter solstice falls on December 21. As the shortest day of the year, it denotes the beginning of deep winter and a break from farming in traditional agricultural society in Chinese culture. Northern China has maintained the tradition of eating dumplings on this day, while people in southern China eat tangyuan (glutinous rice balls).

In Xi'an of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the occasion is marked by elaborate dumpling banquets featuring over 300 varieties, crafted by using different doughs, fillings, and cooking methods from boiling to steaming.

In Sunwu County's Yanjiang Daur and Manchu Ethnic Township, Heilongjiang Province in northeast China, families gather to make sticky rice bean buns.

While wrapping the glutinous buns filled with sweet bean paste, neighbors chat and share updates from their lives. Once steamed, the buns are placed outdoors to freeze naturally in northern China's sub-zero temperatures, allowing them to be stored and enjoyed throughout the long winter months.

In Qinghai Province, no winter solstice feast is complete without a steaming bowl of lamb. In Xining, capital of Qinghai Province, the aroma of hand-pulled boiled lamb fills the chilly city streets, with no seasoning required.

"Lamb is at its fattest and tastiest around the winter solstice. It's authentic, seasonal, and absolutely loved by the people of Qinghai," said Ma Zhongying, lamb restaurant owner.

In Fu'an, south China's Fujian Province, the period around the winter solstice marks the peak harvest season for sugarcane. Locals use the freshly cut cane to make traditional brown slab candy with time-honored methods. After boiling the cane juice for nearly three hours, workers pour the syrup onto bamboo mats, then beat it with wooden paddles until it crystallizes. The final product is crisp, sweet, and melts on the tongue.

Locals also enjoy eating tangyuan typically filled with a bit of brown sugar during the winter solstice. The gentle sweetness not only pleases the palate but also carries a deeper meaning, symbolizing wishes for a joyful and sweet life in the year ahead.