Rejane Rocha, Executive Secretary (Brazil) of the China-Brazil Center for Climate Change and Innovative Energy Technologies Photo: Lin Xiaoyi/GT

On the evening of July 5 local time in Brazil, officials from China and Brazil signed a series of cooperation documents - including a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the second phase of development strategy alignment and collaboration in artificial intelligence - witnessed by the leaders of both countries. The MoU outlines plans to strengthen pragmatic cooperation in infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, new energy, and other sectors, according to a statement released by China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on its website on Monday.

Rejane Rocha, Executive Secretary (Brazil) of the China-Brazil Center for Climate Change and Innovative Energy Technologies (COPPE-UFRJ/Tsinghua), told the Global Times in a recent interview that climate and environmental issues are high priorities for Brazil. Having visited China frequently, she said she has "witnessed the significant progress China has made in green development over the past 15 years," and hopes the two countries can work together to achieve shared goals.

"Everything I saw - the changes China has made during these 15 years - was impressive. I see how China moves fast with these five-year plans. I could see it in many different areas, but the most tangible one for me was air quality," said Rocha, an energy scholar and frequent visitor to China. She recalled how during the winters of 2016 and 2017 in North China's Beijing Municipality, "when the sky was often gray and dark and flights were occasionally canceled due to poor visibility, but things have greatly improved now."

The Tanque Novo wind farm officially commences operations in Brazil on May 30, 2023, with a total installed capacity of 180,000 kilowatts, providing clean power to illuminate 430,000 households. Photo: Courtesy of Chen Shaoyang

What impressed Rocha even more than the blue skies was the rapid spread of new energy vehicles in China and the country's astonishing pace of technological progress. "From 2023 to 2024, in just one year, the popularity of electric vehicles in Beijing amazed me. I kept asking, 'How can you achieve such transformation in only one year?'" said the scholar, who visits China every three to four months. 

She added that China is vigorously developing multiple fields, including artificial intelligence (AI), supported by substantial investment and cross-sector coordination.

"Few countries can do this. China's progress in new energy far surpasses ours," Rocha told the Global Times. She believes China's ability to "quickly turn plans into reality" stems from strategic planning. "China not only formulates plans but ensures their implementation through a combination of policy and financial backing. The government facilitates cooperation between enterprises and universities, enabling technology to be applied in real-world settings instead of remaining as academic theory that cannot be implemented."

Brazil, recognizing China's technological capabilities and implementation strengths, is actively seeking to expand its cooperation with China - something the China-Brazil Center exemplifies. Established in April 2010 with the backing of both governments, the China-Brazil Center operates offices at Tsinghua University and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. It serves as a bridge for bilateral cooperation in climate change and energy technology innovation, conducting related research and enhancing collaboration in these fields.

"Tsinghua University is a world-leading institution with strong engineering capabilities, and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro is also one of Brazil's top universities with strong expertise in related disciplines. The China-Brazil Center was formed through government consultations and has built academic and research ties that contribute to joint development," Rocha explained.

 She said this collaborative platform helps attract enterprises from both countries and allows for shared exploration of challenges and co-development of research topics.

Rocha recalled that in 2013, when Brazil was promoting biodiesel nationwide, Tsinghua University happened to be working on a new biodiesel technology. She spent two to three months at Tsinghua, bringing the technology back to Brazil and adapting it to local conditions. 

Her laboratory later became one of the technical support institutions for the Brazilian government's biodiesel program. "This is the result of our joint efforts. Our students and researchers can continue their work in China, and Chinese researchers can do the same in Brazil," she said. Her team regularly sends researchers to China to "study which technologies China has and how we can integrate and apply them."

The 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) will be held this November in Belém, the capital of Brazil's Pará state. Rocha said Brazilian authorities will invite leaders and experts from multiple universities to attend. "They will join events hosted by the Brazilian government and enterprises to discuss climate change issues."

The view of Rio de Janeiro (right), Brazil Photo: VCG

Rocha noted that environmental and climate issues hold "very high priority" in Brazil and are a key focus of the government. One major challenge, she said, is curbing deforestation. She also observed that China is now paying close attention to energy conservation and emissions reduction in factories. "China and Brazil are both developing countries, and we must find a balance between development and environmental protection. Cooperation between us is essential."

Rocha said that she would soon visit China to explore hospitals using AI technology. "We are very curious to see how AI interacts with patients and assists in diagnosis. Hospitals in Brazil are always overcrowded, and there aren't enough doctors to meet the demand. We hope to leverage Chinese equipment, robotics, or integrate AI into our healthcare system to help doctors and nurses work more efficiently," she said. 

This marks the first time the China-Brazil Center is engaging in cooperation in the health sector. "In the next two to three years, we will also explore the intersection between healthcare and climate change. Health is part of the climate issue, and this will be a promising area of research."

Rocha also noted the increasing presence of Chinese new energy and tech companies in Brazil. "Take BYD for example - you see it in many places. In the next five years, we expect many more Chinese companies to enter Brazil, not just automakers but also firms like Xiaomi and OPPO. I think this is a good thing. These companies help develop certain regions, create jobs, and improve local income. We can see it as support for our development."