Although China and Brazil established their diplomatic ties in 1974, after almost 52 years, there is still a misperception of the Brazilian business leaders about China, especially in terms of relationship, speed, competitiveness and strategy.

The first misperception I may highlight is about the importance of trust and building the relationship before establishing any business with Chinese entrepreneurs because trust is paramount before starting to talk about any business with China.

The second is about China shift from low-cost manufacturing hub to a well-connected digital environment with several cutting-edge technologies, from clean energy, EV's, social commerce, AI, drones, data centers, cloud computing, humanoids and quantum technologies.

The third is how Brazilians usually underestimate the speed of execution in China. Decision making, scalability and competitive responses happen much faster than in Brazil.

These misconceptions don't just create strategic blind spots—they directly impact timing, positioning, and ultimately the success or failure of market entry.

To my eyes I strongly believe that due to the intensification of Chinese Foreign Direct Investment in Brazil (over USD 80 billion in the last 20 years) and the Sino-Brazilian trade (in 2025 a total amount of USD 71 billion), Brazilian entrepreneurs are much more open and interested to establish business with Chinese, due to the quality, technology and competitiveness of Chinese products and solutions.

However, Brazilian entrepreneurs still need to have their strategy more clear in terms of short term, mid-term and long-term relationship goals with its Chinese counterparts due to Chinese complex business environment and partnership.

Lack of clarity almost always leads to wasted time and misaligned expectations.

Besides, regarding people and talent Brazilian leadership must have experience with Chinese business environment, language capability and cross-cultural understanding. Otherwise, business performed by Brazilian leaders with lack of information or training about China or business performed by intermediaries may not fulfil the Brazilian company's needs with China.

Finally, in terms of execution, Brazilian companies must have the ability to adapt products, navigate regulation, and respond quickly to market feedback.

Strategy, people and execution are three paramount dimensions for successfully doing business in China.

The Brazil-China trade and Chinese foreign direct investment are not only on the "traditional areas" including commodities, infrastructure and energy.

Late 2024, China and Brazil Community entered into a new level of relationship with a Shared Future for a fairer world and a more sustainable planet, meaning more strategic partnership through enhanced multilateralism, green development, and economic cooperation. Innovation and sustainability are the key words for the upcoming years of China-Brazil business development.

Currently, Brazil has food security, energy security and minerals security, three key pillars to strengthen the ties even more with China, always in alliance with technology and sustainable practices, including AI, cloud computing, data center, robots, social commerce, green energy, EV's, quantum technologies, among other state-of-the-art technologies.

In other words, agribusiness, energy transition and digital and industrial technology are the key exponents for the upcoming three years.

PART II: NAVIGATING CROSS-BORDER COMPLEXITY

BRICS cannot only be seen in political terms. BRICS+ (expanded bloc including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Indonesia) nearly accounts for 50% of total world's population and over 35% of global GDP, surpassing the G7 in terms of global GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP).

The cooperation among BRICS' countries emerged during an international crisis and, since then, they managed to become one of the main voices of the Global South.

BRICS+ popularity strengthens the perception by the developing countries that this group is a vector to greater influence in the international stage, contributing to the increase of solidarity and cooperation within the Global South. BRICS+ aims to expand its representation and strengthen its voice in global governance and promote the reform of the global governance system in pursuit of greater equity and justice, as well as balance global power.

Development and revitalization are shared aspirations of the Global South and there is a need to amplify Global South voices, defend a multipolar world that is equitable and promote economic globalization that is inclusive and beneficial to all, by supporting peace, stability, development and prosperity of the countries of the Global South, working together towards modernization.

The reform of global governance institutions, as well as the reshape of multilateralism are paramount to promote a more inclusive and representative government structure, as there is a call to action to better represent the diversity of the world and improve the global governance institution's capacity to address today's challenges.

The increasing importance of BRICS+ representation is directly reflected at the New Development Bank (NDB), a multilateral financial organization created by BRICS in 2014, during their Summit in Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil.

NDB has the scope of mobilising resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging markets and developing countries in a cooperative effort between all the BRICS countries, contributing to the world's economic progress and boosting better living conditions to the Global South countries, promoting a common share future for all humanity.

Judging by my 20 years past experience with China in the legal area, I would highlight the lack of attention of the Brazilian and Chinese counterparts on the cross-cultural aspects that reflect on the legal instruments, including guanxi/connections (关系) and mianzi/reputation (面子).

It is mandatory to build trust before entering into a Sino-Brazilian business relationship.

Moreover, Sino-Brazilian enterprises often enter into partnerships or transactions without clearly defining governance, dispute resolution mechanisms, compliance and intellectual property protections.

At first, this seems like a minor issue—especially when relationships are positive—but it becomes critical when scale increases or disagreements arise.

If those aspects are not well clarified and put into a clear contract, the company may face profound damages that may imply with carrying out a huge challenge that will cost time and money for the investors.

"Cultural fluency" is often mentioned but rarely defined well. In practical business terms, what does cultural fluency actually look like in a negotiation with Chinese counterparts?

Definitely cultural fluency is not about etiquette, but a deep understanding about how cross-cultural aspects impact on the success of the business deal.

There are several important aspects that need to be considered before a business deal is signed. From be punctual for a meeting, respecting hierarchy, avoidingstraightforward questions and answers, pointing fingers, pushing deadlines and not prioritize relationship-building can damage the process - all these aspects play a key role on the business to be developed with Chinese counterparts.

Building trust requires time, consistency, and respect for this structure.

Cultural fluency is vital for an aligned communication, emphasizing the importance of trust first rather than the financial transaction itself in order to create a long term relationship and long lasting agreements and business deals.

PART III: INNOVATION, STRATEGY, AND THE FUTURE

China's innovation ecosystem has been closely studied by Brazilian entrepreneurs. As China and Brazil Community entered into a new level of relationship with a shared future for a fairer world and a more sustainable planet, the transfer of technology with the need of localization is paramount.

In Brazil, whenever a Chinese cutting-edge technology is being transferred to Brazil, "tropicalization" is needed so that this solution can be successfully implemented in Brazil. And this tropicalization is necessary in all industries, including e-commerce, AI, logistics, smart manufacturing, among others.

This tropicalization process is also a result of strong efforts in solving cross-cultural challenges, communication transparency, technology adaptation to local market and local needs in a different legal and regulatory business environment.

To summarize, in this win-win game, cultural fluency and tropicalization are key factors for a successful business development between China and Brazil.

There is no doubt that there will be more use of alternative payment systems, the use of local currencies and de-dollarization in BRICS on the next three years.

This shift will not be disruptive, but gradual as exporters and importers shall begin to diversify currency exposure, reduce the use of the dollar to speed up the transactions and improve cost efficiency.

Due to this economic change, it will be necessary to improve regulatory frameworks and capital controls on the banking systems to avoid frauds, scams andmoney laundering.

Another key step is building relationships with financial institutions that are active in BRICS-related initiatives. The main point is pragmatism

The companies that adapt themselves to this new world will have a competitive advantage towards their competitors in this changing financial landscape.

LIDE China is one of the international branches of LIDE (Business Leadership Group). Its focus is on the main government leaders and authorities that directly influence the GDP of Brazil and China to foster partnerships and strengthen the relations between both countries.

Since its foundation, LIDE China has connected the Chinese-Brazilian entrepreneurs, thus being an utmost platform to a higher integration of such a select group of entrepreneurs and to encourage business between China and Brazil, creating better conditions for the Chinese investment in Brazil and Brazilian investment in China.

LIDE China's main purpose is to promote the effective integration between Chinese and Brazilian companies, creating networking opportunities for new businesses between both countries, keeping an intense bilateral cooperation that aids the mutual trade and investment as well as the necessary trade agreements to deepen the economic relations.

LIDE China goals are to gather and connect leaders to foster knowledge and business, contribution to reinforce the free initiative and the democratic values as well as the economic development in the Chinese- Brazilian relations, with the vision of being the most qualified, active, relevant and encompassing international network of entrepreneurs to foster the free enterprise and private initiative in the economic and social development, searching for innovation and high value-added services for its affiliates, whose values are initiatives always based on ethical principles and good practices of corporate governance.

By developing business between Sino-Brazilian entrepreneurs, promoting and aggregating value to the integration between Chinese and Brazilian companies, enhancing the dialogue between Brazil and China by means of strategic partnerships, high-level meetings and workshops, fostering economic exchange in the entrepreneurial area, consolidating and creating more partnerships, as well as connecting entrepreneurs in China and Brazil efficiently, as well as making the corporate knowledge and information flow easier between both countries, LIDE China move from connection to continuity through trust mediation.

China – Brazil bilateral cooperation is increasing sharply in a combination of infrastructure, technology transfer, sustainability, digitalization and industrial capability.

While all dimensions - investment, sustainability, and industrial capability - are important, infrastructure linked with technology creates the foundation for long-term growth of this bilateral tie.

Chinese investment in logistics, energy, health and digital infrastructure can significantly reduce bottlenecks in Brazil, increasing competitiveness across sectors.

Besides, it can generate new industries, create new jobs, establish innovation centers for studies and trainings, as well as increases innovation capacity.

Knowledge transfer and local value creation are paramount factors to the success of China-Brazil relationship as it improves productivity, attracts further investment, and strengthen Brazil's position in global value chains.

That's the reason why China and Brazil are closer and closer. It is a win-win game always based on reciprocity, bilateralism, non-interference on domestic affairs in a long term view.

PART IV: LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY

Looking toward 2030, what will define the next generation of Brazil–China and BRICS leaders?

The next generation of Brazil-China and BRICS leaders will be defined as leaders with strong communication skills, with cross-cultural background, global mindset with local execution, multilateralism view, with global governance voices that are able to navigate more complex regulatory environments.

Moreover, these new leaders will also have more capacity to adapt quickly in fast-changing markets in which hard skills will no longer be enough to succeed. Soft skills including language skills, international experience in different business environments will be crucial to succeed in a complex decision-making process in this new business environment.

The new leaders will face a challenging global market in which hard and soft skills will be used in a complex market in which fastdecision-making and communication are decisive.

One myth to abandon: One opportunity to watch:

One forecast for 2026–2030:

One myth to abandon is that China is a place impossible to succeed in business, Although its business complexity, cross-cultural and cultural fluency singularity, China is a vast market full of business opportunities which requires strategic adaptation.

One opportunity to watch: the intersection of energy transition and industrial capability, where Brazil's resources and China's technology create immediate and scalable collaboration.

One forecast for the next five years: Brazil–China relations will become more operational and less symbolic, with a shift from trade dependency toward deeper industrial and technological partnerships towards a win-win business relationship.

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