Xi, Lula Discuss BRICS, AI Cooperation in Phone Call

Summary

President Xi Jinping spoke by phone with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on the morning of 27 July 2026, at Lula's request. Xi noted progress in building a China-Brazil community with a shared future and highlighted that this year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, while Brazil faces important domestic political agendas. He said the two countries, as major members of the Global South, should promote high-quality 'Greater BRICS' cooperation.

Lula said bilateral trade had reached a new high, expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence, energy and minerals, welcomed Chinese investment, and congratulated China on hosting the 2026 World AI Conference. Both sides pledged close multilateral coordination and opposition to power politics.

Commentary

The phone call underscores deepening cooperation within the Global South, with the BRICS mechanism increasingly reshaping trade rules. For New Zealand SMEs, Brazil's Agriculture 4.0 wave is driving strong demand for smart farm management and drone plant protection technologies – areas where NZ agritech excels, as startups like Halter have already gained experience in Oceania. However, tighter supply chain loops within BRICS could see New Zealand dairy and meat face more price-competitive Brazilian alternatives in Asian markets.

Lula's emphasis on energy and mineral cooperation may affect global critical mineral supply chains, creating opportunities for NZ mining equipment and service providers to eye Brazil's new round of exploration investment. Given the double taxation agreement between New Zealand and Brazil, SMEs should plan early to leverage seasonal complementarity in the Southern Hemisphere and export agritech and renewable energy solutions. Xi's call for open and inclusive AI governance opens space for NZ tech firms to participate in global AI collaboration.

With its unique practices in AI ethics and agricultural applications, New Zealand can use this platform to amplify its voice.

Keywords: Xi Jinping, Lula, China-Brazil relations, BRICS cooperation, artificial intelligence, 15th Five-Year Plan, community with a shared future, Global South, multilateralism, 2026 World AI Conference

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

2026年7月27日上午，国家主席习近平应约同巴西总统卢拉通电话。习近平指出，中巴命运共同体建设取得进展，今年是中国共产党成立105周年和中国“十五五”开局之年，巴西也将迎来重要国内政治议程。他强调，中巴作为全球南方重要成员，应推动“大金砖合作”高质量发展。

卢拉表示，巴中贸易额再创新高，期待加强人工智能、能源矿产合作，欢迎中企投资，并祝贺中国成功举办2026世界人工智能大会。双方愿密切多边协调，反对强权政治。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

习近平与卢拉通话凸显全球南方合作深化，金砖机制日益成为重塑贸易规则的力量。对新西兰中小企业而言，巴西农业4.0浪潮催生对智能牧场管理、无人机植保等技术的强劲需求——这正是新西兰农业科技的优势领域，像Halter等初创已在大洋洲积累经验。但挑战同样明显：金砖内部或形成更紧密的供应链闭环，新西兰乳制品和肉类在亚洲市场可能面临巴西更具价格竞争力的替代。

卢拉强调的能源矿产合作也可能影响全球关键矿产供应链，新西兰矿业设备和服务商可关注巴西新一轮勘探投资。鉴于新西兰已与巴西签署避免双重征税协定，中小企业宜提前布局，利用南半球季节互补性，输出农业科技和可再生能源解决方案。习主席提出的开放包容人工智能治理理念，为新西兰科技企业参与全球AI合作打开空间。

新西兰在人工智能伦理和农业应用方面有独特实践，可借此平台发声。

关键词: 习近平, 卢拉, 中巴关系, 金砖合作, 人工智能, 十五五, 命运共同体, 全球南方, 多边主义, 2026世界人工智能大会

Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in New Zealand