Bay hub a new engine for China-Brazil cooperation

China's unprecedented development over recent decades has led to major transformations in global trade and investment, as well as in international trade patterns and in how countries develop their economies. This progress is reflected in Brazil, one of the largest emerging economies and a major producer of commodities.

Despite the numerous interactions between the two countries, the Brazil-China relationship is often perceived only through bilateral trade, in which Brazil exports commodities and China exports manufactured goods.

China has been Brazil's largest trading partner for more than 17 consecutive years.

In 2025, trade between Brazil and China reached a record $171 billion, representing more than 28 percent of Brazil's total foreign trade. Soybeans, oil and iron ore account for more than 70 percent of Brazilian exports. In addition, other items, including high-quality coffee, beef and strategic minerals used in the technology and energy sectors, are gaining ground in the Chinese market, thereby increasing demand for product certification and opening up higher-value-added niches.

This transition represents a significant opportunity for Brazil to move up the value chain and diversify into more dynamic sectors. In this regard, China's direct investments are essential. According to the Brazil-China Business Council, between 2007 and 2023, the Asian country invested $73.3 billion in 264 Brazilian projects, mainly in the sectors of electricity, mining, oil, manufacturing, services and agriculture. In 2024, Chinese investment in Brazil reached $4.18 billion, double that of the previous year.

Chinese companies are involved in infrastructure projects including railways, ports, wind and solar power generation, and transmission lines. Recently, Brazil began housing automakers, such as BYD's and GWM's industrial plants.

In this context of expansion and diversification, Brazil needs to pay attention to the opportunities offered by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This hub concentrates on one of the largest and most advanced economic clusters in the world. In 2024, the Greater Bay Area had a resident population of over 87 million and a GDP of 14.8 trillion yuan ($2.14 trillion). Despite accounting for less than 0.6 percent of China's total area, the region generates nearly one-ninth of the country's economic output, making it one of the most dynamic regions in the world.

The Greater Bay Area includes key cities in Guangdong province — such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai — as well as the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. Cities in the region are global leaders in industry, technology and commerce, while the two special administrative regions serve as strategic bridges to the Portuguese-speaking world, including Brazil, in areas such as finance and culture.

It is noteworthy that many Brazilian food products are already entering the Chinese market through the logistics infrastructure developed in the Greater Bay Area, benefiting Brazilian exporters as well as participating economies. Furthermore, discussions are underway on cooperation on cattle traceability systems to ensure food safety and increase the value of Brazilian beef in the Chinese market. In addition to food, lithium concentrates for use in clean energy technologies are gaining prominence, reflecting China's demand for strategic resources.

Logistics and infrastructure are crucial for the success of Brazilian products in China. The Greater Bay Area is a logistics hub par excellence, and it deserves to be explored. In this sense, Brazilian companies, together with Chinese counterparts, need to invest in port modernization, logistics systems and direct air routes for perishable goods. Faster and more efficient transportation reduces delivery times, preserving product quality and expanding market access. More efficient logistics will facilitate the exporting of currently restricted products, such as mangoes, wild fruits and other tropical fruits, thereby diversifying Brazil's export portfolio and creating new fields for higher-value-added goods.

In an increasingly uncertain global environment, marked by protectionism and trade and military tensions, diversification of products and markets is essential. The relationship with China is strategic and has enormous potential for Brazil, especially when leveraging the opportunities of the Greater Bay Area. However, to take full advantage of the opportunities, Brazil must organize strategies so that the country is no longer just a commodity exporter, but positions itself as China's partner in logistics, innovation and technology, creating capabilities in industry and high-value-added production.

As highlighted in recent discussions on processed agricultural exports, the China-Brazil relationship has the potential to generate substantial economic and sustainable development benefits — provided it is approached with a long-term vision and strategic planning.

Liao Yue is an associate professor at the Institute of International and Regional Studies and dean of the Department of Spanish at Sun Yat-sen University. Marcos Cordeiro Pires is a professor of international political economy at Sao Paulo State University in Brazil.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.