The Planalto Palace confirmed for April 11 the State visit of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to China. Lula’s trip, which should have taken place this week, was suspended after the diagnosis of mild pneumonia [https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/politica/noticia/2023-03/lula-adia-embarque-china-apos-apresentar-pneumonia-leve]. Because of this, the president remained at rest at Palácio da Alvorada, his official residence, over the last few days.
In a post on social media, this Friday night (31), Lula said he was “fully recovered” and promised to resume his work schedule at the Planalto Palace next week. “Friday at home office with friend Geraldo Alckmin. Working at Alvorada, fully recovered. Next week I’ll be back at Planalto”.
Home office friday with friend @geraldoalckmin. Working at Alvorada, fully recovered. Next week I’ll be back at Planalto.
?: @ricardostuckert pic.twitter.com/BQ1S4mHFpK
— Lula (@LulaOficial) March 31, 2023
The details of the visit are yet to be informed by the government, but the president should follow a similar route to what was already planned, with the main diplomatic events being meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, and with the Speaker of the National People’s Congress, Zhao Leji. These meetings will take place in Beijing, capital of the Asian country. He must also fulfill agendas in Shanghai, one of the country’s main economic centers.
It will be Lula’s first trip to an Asian country after assuming his third term. But the trip to China is the third international one after taking office: the president has already been to Argentina and the United States. The forecast of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is that at least 20 trade agreements will be signed during the visit.
Still in April, Lula should go to Portugal. In May, the president participates as a special guest at the G7 Summit in Japan. The group brings together seven of the largest economies on the planet.
