Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), sent a congratulatory message on Oct. 27 to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who won re-election to secure a fourth term in office. Xi also sent a message of condolence to the family of former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who recently passed away. As the leader of a G2 nation seeking to overtake the United States, Xi appears to have been busy conducting diplomacy through diplomatic cables.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a recent Global South meeting. / Xinhua News Agency

According to Beijing-based sources familiar with China's political leadership on Oct. 28, Xi said in his congratulatory message the previous day that "President Lula has made important contributions to the development of relations between China and Brazil." He continued, "In recent years, President Lula and I have maintained close communication through various channels and made new progress in building a China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet."

Xi also emphasized that the global, strategic and long-term significance of bilateral relations had become increasingly prominent, describing the relationship as a model of solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries — developing and emerging economies in Asia, Africa and Latin America. He added, "I hope to work with President Lula to take the building of a community with a shared future between our two countries to a new level. We will broaden the horizons of comprehensive strategic cooperation and improve the well-being of our peoples."

According to the sources, Lula secured a dramatic comeback victory in the runoff of Brazil's presidential election held on Oct. 25. He is now set to begin his fourth term in office.

In a message of condolence sent to Fukuda's family the same day, Xi described the former Japanese prime minister as "a politician of integrity and responsibility and a longtime friend of the Chinese people." He also emphasized that Fukuda had signed the fourth political document between China and Japan during his tenure, establishing important principles for the development of bilateral relations. Xi further noted that Fukuda had contributed to exchanges and cooperation across Asia while serving as chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, which China hosts annually.

Xi also added, "I hope Japan's current leaders will cherish the efforts and achievements of veteran politicians. I expect them to abide by the four political documents between China and Japan and firmly safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations."

Fukuda died on Oct. 22 at the age of 90. During his lifetime, he was known as a politician with a deep understanding of South Korea and China. There appears to be good reason why Xi took the unusual step of sending condolences over the death of a Japanese politician at a time when relations between the two countries are extremely strained.

                                                                                                            Hong Soon-do