IN-DEPTH / IN-DEPTH
Practitioner's Insights: Rooting friendship in South America – China, Brazil establish benchmark for Global South cooperation
By in Rio de Janeiro Published: Jul 13, 2025 11:06 PM Updated: Jul 13, 2025 11:18 PM
Editor's Note:
"Promoting sustainable development," "opposing unilateral trade measures," and "upholding multilateralism" have emerged as some of the key words at the just-concluded 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The international community closely watched the summit, viewing the expanded BRICS as gaining greater weight and influence, and believing that the enlarged grouping will be better positioned to uphold multilateralism and push for improving global governance.
The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, presenting both opportunities and challenges for emerging markets and developing countries. In the article "the Role of the BRICS in Building a Global Community of Shared Future" included in volume III of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, President Xi noted, "We BRICS countries need to keep abreast of the historical trend, seize development opportunities, jointly meet challenges, and play a constructive role in building a new model of international relations and a global community of shared future."
In October 2024, at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, President Xi delivered a speech, emphasizing "It is for our shared pursuit and for the overarching trend of peace and development that we BRICS countries have come together." "The more tumultuous our times become, the more we must stand firm at the forefront, exhibiting tenacity, demonstrating the audacity to pioneer and displaying the wisdom to adapt. We must work together to build BRICS into a primary channel for strengthening solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations and a vanguard for advancing global governance reform."
In the eighth installment of the special series "Decoding the Book of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," the Global Times, along with People's Daily Overseas Edition, explores the theme: "Combining the great strength of the Global South to build together a community with a shared future for mankind." We continue to invite Chinese and foreign scholars, translators of Xi's works, practitioners with firsthand experience, and international readers to discuss China's theoretical innovations and practical contributions within the BRICS framework and Global South cooperation, and to collectively answer the question of our times: "How does the Chinese model and wisdom empower multilateralism, global governance and sci-tech and innovation cooperation among the Global South?"
This is the seventh story of the "Practitioner's Insights" column, in which, the Global Times visited China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) Petroleum Brasil Ltda to experience how Chinese enterprises blend with the local community, setting an example for oil and gas exploration and cooperation in the Global South countries.
"If you have tasted my bitterness, I wish to become your sweetness. I wish to live up to your hopes, to be brave and steadfast in this prosperous world every day…" In the office lounge of China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) Petroleum Brasil Ltda, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNOOC, in Rio de Janeiro, a young woman is practicing the Chinese song "Ru Yuan" ("As You Wish"), preparing for her performance at the BRICS summit series of events. The young woman is Isabela Amorim, a singer with the Copacabana Fort Orchestra who joined the company this year.
Late last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to letters from friendly personages from all walks of life in Brazil, encouraging them to continuously contribute to the China-Brazil friendship. In his reply, Xi said that he is glad to see that the China-Brazil friendship has been passed on from generation to generation. He voiced hope that people from all walks of life in the two countries will play a positive role in promoting the continuous development of China-Brazil relations and making the China-Brazil friendship flow unceasingly like the Yangtze River and the Amazon River, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Among the more than 100 friendly personages from the Brazil-China Friendship Association were members of the Copacabana Fort Orchestra.
Founded in 2011, the Copacabana Fort Orchestra is dedicated to discovering and nurturing musical talent from impoverished communities, providing them with professional training and performance opportunities to launch careers in music. However, the orchestra's 14-year journey has not been smooth; it was once on the brink of dissolution. Little known to many, it was during the orchestra's most difficult times that a Chinese state-owned enterprise extended a helping hand.
On July 6, the BRICS Summit kicked off in Rio de Janeiro for two days. This summit marked the first gathering since new member Indonesia and 10 partner countries joined BRICS.
As mentioned in President Xi's speech at the BRICS Xiamen Summit in 2017, part of which was included in the second volume of the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China in the chapter "Usher in the Second Golden Decade of BRICS Cooperation," Xi cited an ancient Chinese saying which goes "A partnership forged with the right approach defies geographical distance; it is thicker than glue and stronger than metal and stone." The president owed the rapid development of BRICS cooperation to the right approach that we have adopted. Guided by this approach, we have respected and supported each other in following the path of development suited to our respective national conditions; we have pressed forward with economic, political and people-to-people cooperation in an open, inclusive and win-win spirit; and we have worked in unison with other emerging markets and developing countries to uphold international justice and equity and foster a sound external environment.
The transformation of these youths from community to the world stage vividly illustrates the "shared future" between Chinese enterprises and local communities - not merely through charitable donations, but through respect and understanding, allowing cooperation to take root and flourish in their hearts.
Friendship grows in notes with music as bridge
In the Botafogo district of Rio de Janeiro, the tallest building, the Rio Sul office tower, houses CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda. From the windows, one can gaze upon the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain, capturing the breathtaking skyline of the city.
Huang Yehua, president of CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda, shared with the Global Times the untold story behind the orchestra.
The founder of the orchestra, Márcia Melchior, has helped numerous children from the slums find their way in life through music. However, the non-profit music education model struggled to be profitable, and long-term lack of donations, coupled with the impact of the pandemic, once brought the orchestra to the brink of collapse.
In 2022, at a Chinese community gathering in Rio de Janeiro, Melchior met employees from CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda and invited them to watch a free outdoor performance by the orchestra. The employees were moved by the children's passion and determination to pursue their dreams, leading the management to decide to support the orchestra through Brazil's Cultural Incentive Law, which allows for tax deductions.
"The members come from different impoverished communities in Rio, with diverse skin colors and ethnicities. They are dedicated to studying music from various countries and adhere to the principle of 'no giving up' for selected children. If we can help them change their destinies, our support will be of great significance," Huang told the Global Times.
The Global Times learned that over the past two years, with the support of CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda, other Chinese enterprises in Brazil, the Chinese Embassy in Brazil, and the Brazil-China Friendship Association, the Copacabana Fort Orchestra has entered a period of rapid development. The orchestra has performed in Rio de Janeiro for audiences from around the world and has gained widespread popularity. In September last year, the orchestra traveled to China to perform at a reception celebrating the 50th anniversary of China-Brazil diplomatic relations. In October 2024, the orchestra was officially recognized as a state-level intangible cultural heritage by the Rio de Janeiro Legislative Assembly.
"In the orchestra's most difficult times, CNOOC stepped up and generously supported us. They emphasized that President Xi has always taught them that the development of Chinese enterprises relies on the support of local communities and people. Sharing the fruits of corporate development with local communities is their responsibility. These words stirred the hearts of every orchestra member. Isn't this one of the important reasons why President Xi and China are so great?" Melchior told the Global Times.
Huang has also been awarded the Tiradentes Medal by the Rio de Janeiro State Assembly, becoming the first person from a Chinese enterprise to receive this honor since its establishment. The Tiradentes Medal is the highest honor in Rio de Janeiro, established in 1989 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Brazil's socio-economic development.
Despite the vast distances, the friendship between China and Brazil is vividly illustrated by these musical ambassadors, embodying the profound meaning of "nothing, not even mountains and seas, can separate people with common goals and ideals."
Global South cooperation under deep sea testimony
In the chapter "The Role of the BRICS in Building a Global Community of Shared Future" in the third volume of the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, which is a part of Xi's speech at the BRICS Business Forum in 2018, the president emphasized that BRICS countries need to keep abreast of the historical trend, seize development opportunities, jointly meet challenges, and play a constructive role in building a new type of international relations and a global community of shared future.
Huang succinctly summarized the mission behind the company's multibillion-dollar investments in Brazil.
In 2013, CNOOC partnered with Petrobras and other companies to win the bid for the Libra block in the world's third-largest pre-salt ultra-deepwater oil field. In 2017, the first barrel of crude oil gushed from the Mero oil field, signifying the rapid development of cooperation between Chinese and Brazilian energy companies in the field of ultra-deepwater development. By 2022, the completion of the equity increase in the Búzios project made CNOOC the largest partner of Petrobras. The following year, the fifth phase of the oil field project reached its peak in a record time of five months, setting a new benchmark for the construction speed of pre-salt oil fields.
According to Huang, cooperation among Global South countries represents mutual progress: through the exchange and sharing of deepwater oil and gas development technologies, China and Brazil can learn from each other; and through joint research and development, the development of pre-salt oil fields can advance toward being more environmentally friendly and efficient. Today, on the drilling platform of CNOOC's "Nan Hai 8," Chinese and Brazilian engineers are working side by side to debug equipment, preparing to make a remarkable contribution to the history of deep-sea oil and gas drilling in Brazil.
'Family culture' transcends mountains and seas
Colorful ribbons for the "June Festival" hang throughout the office. Zongzi (rice dumplings) are placed alongside Brazilian desserts. Chinese employees teach local colleagues how to make zongzi, while Brazilian employees lead everyone in dancing the forró... "family culture" promoted by Huang has turned this office building into a shared haven for Chinese and Brazilian employees.
In traditional South American culture, local people placed more emphasis on "enjoying the moment." However, through working alongside Chinese employees, they witnessed how collective effort led to the company's prosperity, which in turn helped them achieve personal happiness.
"My Brazilian colleagues told me that over time, they gradually understood: when the company thrives and the collective does well, they will also be better off. For example, it's like being at home; if they see the soy sauce bottle fall while their wife is cooking, they no longer feel it's none of their business, but instead rush to help pick it up," shared Guo Jianing, a Chinese employee of the company.
Moreover, when a local employee was diagnosed with breast cancer, the company organized a donation drive to help; when an employee's family faced difficulties, colleagues spontaneously offered assistance. The company has also sponsored three public schools in Rio de Janeiro to offer Chinese language courses.
As the Global Times was leaving the office, a bilingual comic book caught the reporter's eye. Created by Brazilian singer-songwriter Antonio Carlos, the book tells a fantastical story: the anthropomorphized CNOOC robot "Hai Miao" travels back from the future to the present, teaming up with a Chinese girl and two Brazilian girls to prevent an environmental disaster, reflecting CNOOC's "green and low-carbon development" strategy.
As the bells of the BRICS Summit echo in Rio de Janeiro, the addition of new members injects vibrant energy into cooperation. Chinese enterprises are demonstrating through practical actions that "a partnership forged with the right approach defies geographical distance" is not just an ancient adage but a tangible reality — on the great journey of building a global community of shared future, every country can become each other's "Ru Yuan" ("As You Wish").
"Promoting sustainable development," "opposing unilateral trade measures," and "upholding multilateralism" have emerged as some of the key words at the just-concluded 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The international community closely watched the summit, viewing the expanded BRICS as gaining greater weight and influence, and believing that the enlarged grouping will be better positioned to uphold multilateralism and push for improving global governance.
The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, presenting both opportunities and challenges for emerging markets and developing countries. In the article "the Role of the BRICS in Building a Global Community of Shared Future" included in volume III of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, President Xi noted, "We BRICS countries need to keep abreast of the historical trend, seize development opportunities, jointly meet challenges, and play a constructive role in building a new model of international relations and a global community of shared future."
In October 2024, at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, President Xi delivered a speech, emphasizing "It is for our shared pursuit and for the overarching trend of peace and development that we BRICS countries have come together." "The more tumultuous our times become, the more we must stand firm at the forefront, exhibiting tenacity, demonstrating the audacity to pioneer and displaying the wisdom to adapt. We must work together to build BRICS into a primary channel for strengthening solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations and a vanguard for advancing global governance reform."
In the eighth installment of the special series "Decoding the Book of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," the Global Times, along with People's Daily Overseas Edition, explores the theme: "Combining the great strength of the Global South to build together a community with a shared future for mankind." We continue to invite Chinese and foreign scholars, translators of Xi's works, practitioners with firsthand experience, and international readers to discuss China's theoretical innovations and practical contributions within the BRICS framework and Global South cooperation, and to collectively answer the question of our times: "How does the Chinese model and wisdom empower multilateralism, global governance and sci-tech and innovation cooperation among the Global South?"
This is the seventh story of the "Practitioner's Insights" column, in which, the Global Times visited China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) Petroleum Brasil Ltda to experience how Chinese enterprises blend with the local community, setting an example for oil and gas exploration and cooperation in the Global South countries.
In May 2025, Huang Yehua (middle), president of CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda, conducts a survey on the "Nan Hai 8" drilling platform. The drilling platform is currently moored at a port in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: Courtesy of CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda
"If you have tasted my bitterness, I wish to become your sweetness. I wish to live up to your hopes, to be brave and steadfast in this prosperous world every day…" In the office lounge of China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) Petroleum Brasil Ltda, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNOOC, in Rio de Janeiro, a young woman is practicing the Chinese song "Ru Yuan" ("As You Wish"), preparing for her performance at the BRICS summit series of events. The young woman is Isabela Amorim, a singer with the Copacabana Fort Orchestra who joined the company this year.
Late last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to letters from friendly personages from all walks of life in Brazil, encouraging them to continuously contribute to the China-Brazil friendship. In his reply, Xi said that he is glad to see that the China-Brazil friendship has been passed on from generation to generation. He voiced hope that people from all walks of life in the two countries will play a positive role in promoting the continuous development of China-Brazil relations and making the China-Brazil friendship flow unceasingly like the Yangtze River and the Amazon River, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Among the more than 100 friendly personages from the Brazil-China Friendship Association were members of the Copacabana Fort Orchestra.
Founded in 2011, the Copacabana Fort Orchestra is dedicated to discovering and nurturing musical talent from impoverished communities, providing them with professional training and performance opportunities to launch careers in music. However, the orchestra's 14-year journey has not been smooth; it was once on the brink of dissolution. Little known to many, it was during the orchestra's most difficult times that a Chinese state-owned enterprise extended a helping hand.
On July 6, the BRICS Summit kicked off in Rio de Janeiro for two days. This summit marked the first gathering since new member Indonesia and 10 partner countries joined BRICS.
As mentioned in President Xi's speech at the BRICS Xiamen Summit in 2017, part of which was included in the second volume of the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China in the chapter "Usher in the Second Golden Decade of BRICS Cooperation," Xi cited an ancient Chinese saying which goes "A partnership forged with the right approach defies geographical distance; it is thicker than glue and stronger than metal and stone." The president owed the rapid development of BRICS cooperation to the right approach that we have adopted. Guided by this approach, we have respected and supported each other in following the path of development suited to our respective national conditions; we have pressed forward with economic, political and people-to-people cooperation in an open, inclusive and win-win spirit; and we have worked in unison with other emerging markets and developing countries to uphold international justice and equity and foster a sound external environment.
The transformation of these youths from community to the world stage vividly illustrates the "shared future" between Chinese enterprises and local communities - not merely through charitable donations, but through respect and understanding, allowing cooperation to take root and flourish in their hearts.
Friendship grows in notes with music as bridge
In the Botafogo district of Rio de Janeiro, the tallest building, the Rio Sul office tower, houses CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda. From the windows, one can gaze upon the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain, capturing the breathtaking skyline of the city.
Huang Yehua, president of CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda, shared with the Global Times the untold story behind the orchestra.
The founder of the orchestra, Márcia Melchior, has helped numerous children from the slums find their way in life through music. However, the non-profit music education model struggled to be profitable, and long-term lack of donations, coupled with the impact of the pandemic, once brought the orchestra to the brink of collapse.
In 2022, at a Chinese community gathering in Rio de Janeiro, Melchior met employees from CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda and invited them to watch a free outdoor performance by the orchestra. The employees were moved by the children's passion and determination to pursue their dreams, leading the management to decide to support the orchestra through Brazil's Cultural Incentive Law, which allows for tax deductions.
"The members come from different impoverished communities in Rio, with diverse skin colors and ethnicities. They are dedicated to studying music from various countries and adhere to the principle of 'no giving up' for selected children. If we can help them change their destinies, our support will be of great significance," Huang told the Global Times.
The Global Times learned that over the past two years, with the support of CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda, other Chinese enterprises in Brazil, the Chinese Embassy in Brazil, and the Brazil-China Friendship Association, the Copacabana Fort Orchestra has entered a period of rapid development. The orchestra has performed in Rio de Janeiro for audiences from around the world and has gained widespread popularity. In September last year, the orchestra traveled to China to perform at a reception celebrating the 50th anniversary of China-Brazil diplomatic relations. In October 2024, the orchestra was officially recognized as a state-level intangible cultural heritage by the Rio de Janeiro Legislative Assembly.
Isabela Amorim, a singer with the Copacabana Fort Orchestra, captivates the audience with her heartfelt rendition of the Chinese song "Ru Yuan" ("As You Wish') at a festival celebrating the Lunar New Year in February 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: Courtesy of CNOOC Petroleum Brasil Ltda.
"In the orchestra's most difficult times, CNOOC stepped up and generously supported us. They emphasized that President Xi has always taught them that the development of Chinese enterprises relies on the support of local communities and people. Sharing the fruits of corporate development with local communities is their responsibility. These words stirred the hearts of every orchestra member. Isn't this one of the important reasons why President Xi and China are so great?" Melchior told the Global Times.
Huang has also been awarded the Tiradentes Medal by the Rio de Janeiro State Assembly, becoming the first person from a Chinese enterprise to receive this honor since its establishment. The Tiradentes Medal is the highest honor in Rio de Janeiro, established in 1989 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Brazil's socio-economic development.
Despite the vast distances, the friendship between China and Brazil is vividly illustrated by these musical ambassadors, embodying the profound meaning of "nothing, not even mountains and seas, can separate people with common goals and ideals."
Global South cooperation under deep sea testimony
In the chapter "The Role of the BRICS in Building a Global Community of Shared Future" in the third volume of the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, which is a part of Xi's speech at the BRICS Business Forum in 2018, the president emphasized that BRICS countries need to keep abreast of the historical trend, seize development opportunities, jointly meet challenges, and play a constructive role in building a new type of international relations and a global community of shared future.
Huang succinctly summarized the mission behind the company's multibillion-dollar investments in Brazil.
In 2013, CNOOC partnered with Petrobras and other companies to win the bid for the Libra block in the world's third-largest pre-salt ultra-deepwater oil field. In 2017, the first barrel of crude oil gushed from the Mero oil field, signifying the rapid development of cooperation between Chinese and Brazilian energy companies in the field of ultra-deepwater development. By 2022, the completion of the equity increase in the Búzios project made CNOOC the largest partner of Petrobras. The following year, the fifth phase of the oil field project reached its peak in a record time of five months, setting a new benchmark for the construction speed of pre-salt oil fields.
According to Huang, cooperation among Global South countries represents mutual progress: through the exchange and sharing of deepwater oil and gas development technologies, China and Brazil can learn from each other; and through joint research and development, the development of pre-salt oil fields can advance toward being more environmentally friendly and efficient. Today, on the drilling platform of CNOOC's "Nan Hai 8," Chinese and Brazilian engineers are working side by side to debug equipment, preparing to make a remarkable contribution to the history of deep-sea oil and gas drilling in Brazil.
'Family culture' transcends mountains and seas
Colorful ribbons for the "June Festival" hang throughout the office. Zongzi (rice dumplings) are placed alongside Brazilian desserts. Chinese employees teach local colleagues how to make zongzi, while Brazilian employees lead everyone in dancing the forró... "family culture" promoted by Huang has turned this office building into a shared haven for Chinese and Brazilian employees.
In traditional South American culture, local people placed more emphasis on "enjoying the moment." However, through working alongside Chinese employees, they witnessed how collective effort led to the company's prosperity, which in turn helped them achieve personal happiness.
"My Brazilian colleagues told me that over time, they gradually understood: when the company thrives and the collective does well, they will also be better off. For example, it's like being at home; if they see the soy sauce bottle fall while their wife is cooking, they no longer feel it's none of their business, but instead rush to help pick it up," shared Guo Jianing, a Chinese employee of the company.
Moreover, when a local employee was diagnosed with breast cancer, the company organized a donation drive to help; when an employee's family faced difficulties, colleagues spontaneously offered assistance. The company has also sponsored three public schools in Rio de Janeiro to offer Chinese language courses.
As the Global Times was leaving the office, a bilingual comic book caught the reporter's eye. Created by Brazilian singer-songwriter Antonio Carlos, the book tells a fantastical story: the anthropomorphized CNOOC robot "Hai Miao" travels back from the future to the present, teaming up with a Chinese girl and two Brazilian girls to prevent an environmental disaster, reflecting CNOOC's "green and low-carbon development" strategy.
As the bells of the BRICS Summit echo in Rio de Janeiro, the addition of new members injects vibrant energy into cooperation. Chinese enterprises are demonstrating through practical actions that "a partnership forged with the right approach defies geographical distance" is not just an ancient adage but a tangible reality — on the great journey of building a global community of shared future, every country can become each other's "Ru Yuan" ("As You Wish").
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