The first series of Webinars on International Cooperation Against Covid-19, co-organised by China’s Embassy in Brazil, China’s Consulate-General in Rio de Janeiro, the Beijing Municipal Government and the Government of the State of Minas Gerais in Brazil, was held successfully. The initiative aimed to promote further international cooperation in fighting against Covid-19, and to deepen the strategic partnerships between China and Brazil. Topics of discussion included: the sharing of information on front-line experience of combatting the pandemic; to promote research on Traditional Chinese Medicine; and to deepen collaboration in economic and trade matters of the two countries.
The four Webinars were delivered in videoconference format, with live online streaming to international audiences via YouTube; and live online streaming to Mainland China audiences via Kuaishou. The Webinars attracted the attention of people in various social sectors.
China and Brazil are willing to enhance international cooperation in fighting against Covid-19
Mr Yang Wanming, China’s Ambassador to Brazil, said that Covid-19 had already shown that the whole world was closely connected and that its people could work together through thick and thin, in order to construct a human-health network to overcome the Covid-19 global challenge. China had been actively helping Brazil according to its needs and fighting Covid-19 with the Brazilian people. Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Ms Xu Yingzhen, emphasised that the Permanent Secretariat would continue its bridging role of connecting China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, and would work with those countries in order best to contribute to general international cooperation in fighting against the epidemic.
The Minas Gerais State Government Secretary, Mr Igor Mascarenhas Eto pointed out that strengthening international cooperation, especially cooperation with China, was significant. Brazil should take China’s experience as reference point to revitalise his own country. The Mayor of Niterói, Mr Rodrigo Neves Barreto stressed that international cooperation was crucial in order to fight Covid-19, and he also thanked China for its donation of materials for combatting an epidemic. China and Brazil were both major developing countries and members of the BRICS group of nations, would definitely help each other to overcome the difficult situation.
Chinese and Brazilian doctors Exchange treatment strategies
Chinese and Brazilian experts including: Vice Director of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Dr Zhou Xiang; Director of the Department of Respiration of Guang’anmen Hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Dr Li Guangxi; the President of the Brazil National Academy of Medicine, Dr Rubens Belfort; and Director of Hospital Samaritano no Rio de Janeiro, Dr José Couto de Castro, exchanged their views and experiences on a number of topics. The topics focused on how to treat Covid-19 patients; medication and isolation strategy for asymptomatic patients with Covid-19; mechanical ventilation strategy; and tracheal intubation.
International Cooperation in fighting Covid-19 using traditional medicine
Vice President of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products, Ms Meng Dongping, introduced the topic of the global propagation of traditional medicine, led by Chinese traditional medicine and the positive outcomes from use of the medicine for epidemic prevention.
Director General of Beijing Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mr Tu Zhitao; and President of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Capital Medical University, Mr Liu Qingquan, introduced information on Beijing’s prevention and control schemes – and the results from them – in terms of using Chinese traditional medicine and clinical treatment diagnoses respectively – from Chinese Medicine Professionals – on Covid-19.
General Manager of China-Brazil International Cooperation Base of Chinese Medicine Products Ms Fang Fang introduced information on the actual practice Brazil is using to promote Chinese traditional medicine. She said that the Cooperation Base was willing to make contributions to bring Chinese traditional medicine into the Brazilian market. The headquarters of the Cooperation Base is located in São Paulo, Brazil. The combined treatment of Chinese and Western medication had gained global attention, and Brazil expressed the hope of strengthening its exchange and cooperation with China in the area of Chinese traditional medicine.
Chinese and Brazilian entrepreneurs actively discussed economic and commercial cooperation in fighting Covid-19
General Manager of State Grid Brazil Holding, Mr Chang Zhongjiao, introduced information on network operations and maintenance planning during the epidemic, a step to ensure the electricity supply of the country. China National Offshore Oil Corporation, China National Petroleum Corporation and Petrobras introduced information on their first ultra-deep-water project involving Chinese and Brazilian cooperation ultra-deep-water project, the Libra Project.
There will be a second series of the Webinars on International Cooperation Against Covid-19. Government representatives and industry experts will be invited to share their insights on certain topics. As the supporting unit of the Webinar, the Permanent Secretariat will continue to encourage the representatives from Portuguese-speaking Countries, the Macao SAR Government, and related institutions, to participate. Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretariat will pay close attention to the situation of the epidemic and take up Macao’s platform role; and will create a webpage within the official website of the Permanent Secretariat dedicated to efforts to fight the epidemic; and will actively help Forum Macao and the involved Portuguese-speaking Countries to confront the epidemic.
