President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have expressed their opposition to unilateralism and protectionism, and pledged to promote the greater development of bilateral ties.

　　In a phone conversation between the two heads of state on Tuesday, Xi told Lula that China is ready to work with Brazil to set an example of unity and self-reliance among major countries of the Global South, and to jointly build a more just world and a more sustainable planet.

　　China-Brazil ties are at their best in history, with the building of a China-Brazil community with a shared future and the alignment of the two countries' development strategies getting off to a good start and making smooth progress, Xi said.

　　China stands ready to work with Brazil to seize opportunities, strengthen coordination and deliver more mutually beneficial cooperation outcomes, he added.

　　In November last year, during Xi's state visit to the South American country, China and Brazil decided to elevate their ties to a community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet.

　　During the phone conversation, Xi said that China backs the Brazilian people in defending their national sovereignty and supports Brazil in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests.

　　All countries should unite in resolutely fighting unilateralism and protectionism, he said.

　　Noting that the BRICS mechanism is a key platform for building consensus in the Global South, Xi congratulated Brazil on successfully hosting the recent BRICS summit.

　　He called on Global South countries to jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, defend the basic norms governing international relations, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.