China, Brazil launch innovation, sharing alliance to enhance energy cooperation

Major players from the energy sectors in China and Brazil came together on Friday to launch a new industry alliance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, aiming to further foster the two countries' energy cooperation.

The rapidly growing economic relationship between China, the biggest developing country in the world, and Brazil, the largest developing country in the western hemisphere, has once again come into spotlight.

The State Grid Corporation of China, together with Brazil's electricity regulator, major power firms, and 16 academic and research institutions, set up the China-Brazil Electric Innovation and Sharing Alliance.

Thiago Barral, secretary of Energy Transition and Planning in the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Brazil, said the event has brought the cooperation to a next level as the launch of the alliance will also promote technological growth.

"So the launch of this new alliance is a new milestone in the collaboration between Brazil and China. And I see it has taken this collaboration to a next level, to an upper level, because it reinforces the collaboration on technology development. So it's not just investing in infrastructure but developing together using Brazil scale and China scale as platforms for developing solutions, advanced solutions for the challenges of the power grids not only in China and Brazil but elsewhere," said Barral.

With sustainability being a long-time concern for both countries, and a major topic at the 19th G20 Summit which will kick off on Monday, this energy alliance also aims to provide insight into green energy development.

"China and Brazil have significant cooperation potential in power sector upgrades, especially in ultra-high voltage technology, renewable energy, grid-connection and smart grids. Currently, there is already a foundation for cooperation between the two countries in the field of power transmission. Now, both of China's two overseas UHV direct current transmission projects are located in Brazil, helping the country safely transmit clean energy to its load centers," said Wang Xiaogang, chief engineer at State Grid Brazil Holding.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday to attend this year's G20 Summit and pay a state visit at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The two countries are expected to go beyond areas of cooperation such as energy, and explore new frontiers in infrastructure, space exploration and artificial intelligence.

China, Brazil launch innovation, sharing alliance to enhance energy cooperation

China, Brazil launch innovation, sharing alliance to enhance energy cooperation

Brazil's National Historical Museum, a popular cultural attraction in Rio de Janeiro, is fully prepared to welcome visitors from around the world during the G20 Summit.

The 19th G20 Summit is scheduled to be held in Brazil's second-largest city Rio from Nov 18 to 19. With the leaders of the 19 member countries, plus the African Union and the European Union in attendance, the city now is the center of global attention.

To enhance the touring experience for international visitors, the museum has prepared bilingual exhibitions and reception services, and offers free admission to all.

"We prepared ourselves to receive people from all over the world. We hired bilingual receptionists. We hired bilingual receptionists, and our exhibition is mainly bilingual as well. We are not charging fee to the entrance of the museum, so most people can come here," said Pedro Heringer, the museum's curator.

Established in 1922, the castle-like museum holds more than 287,000 items from different historical periods in Brazil, featuring artifacts from the Portuguese royal family that once lived in Rio during the colonial period.

"Mostly about colonial Brazil and the Brazilian empire, before we became a republic. I think it's a very good place for foreigners to come," said Andre, a Brazilian visitor.

Brazil's National Historical Museum ready to welcome visitors during G20 Summit