China, Brazil agree to defend free trade as leaders meet in Beijing

Starting in Beijing where Chinese President Xi Jinping met his Brazilian counterpart on Tuesday, pledging to defend free trade and multilateralism amid global trade tensions.

During President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's four-day state visit to China, the two nations signed 20 bilateral agreements to enhance cooperation in agriculture, technology, finance and other sectors.

President Xi emphasized the importance of opposing unilateralism and protectionism, stating that such actions, which he described as "acts of bullying," lead to isolation.

President Lula highlighted the necessity of China-Brazil relations and said both countries are "determined to unite their voices against unilateralism and protectionism."

Also on Tuesday, President Lula attended a three-yearly ministerial forum between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States where President Xi pledged to enhance China's trade and investment in the region.