The third series, held recently, of Webinars on International Cooperation Against Covid-19 was completed successfully. It was supported by a number of entities, including: China’s Embassy in Brazil; China’s Consulate-General in Rio de Janeiro; the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government; the State Government of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; the State Government of Bahia, Brazil; and the State Government of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao was a supporting entity of the Webinar series, assisting representatives of governments and other institutions from Portuguese-speaking Countries, to take part in it.

A total of three sessions was held under the third Webinar series on International Cooperation Against Covid-19, namely on August 11, 18 and 25. The sessions focused on cooperation against Covid-19 in a number of fields, namely: e-commerce and logistics; Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine; and culture. Each of the three sessions was delivered in videoconference format, with live online streaming to international audiences via YouTube; and live online streaming to Mainland China audiences via Kuaishou.

“Cooperation Against Covid-19 in the E-commerce and Logistics Sectors”

During this Webinar session, participants engaged in detailed discussions on topics related to cooperation in the port, logistics, and freight sectors, as ways to tackle the impact of the pandemic. Participants also exchanged views on exploring new opportunities in trade cooperation between China and Brazil.

In his presentation, Mr Marcos Kneip Navarro, Secretary for Development of the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil, discussed investment opportunities in his region, including in the fields of human resources, natural gas, and transportation and logistics. He said he was eager to welcome Sino-Brazilian business delegations to tour the State of Espírito Santo.

Ms Isabelle Fournier, Sales Director at Sinotrans Ltd, also took part in the Webinar session, as a guest speaker. She noted that the pandemic was leading to a restructuring of global supply chains, accelerating the growth of Sinotrans’ work in e-commerce.

Mr Luo Jun, Director-General of SDC do Brasil – Serviços Marítimos Ltda, stated that, while working to counter the pandemic, the company had continued to ensure it provided its normal services. He said that the firm would continue to collect relevant information on Covid-19, and comply with the disease-prevention policies implemented by the Brazilian authorities.

“Cooperation Against Covid-19 Using Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine”

During this Webinar session, representatives from the health authorities respectively from the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government, the State of Rio de Janeiro, and the State of Bahia, delivered presentations on the impact of the pandemic in their respective jurisdictions, and prevention and control measures put in place.

Mr Zhou Lin, Deputy Director of Chongqing Municipal Health Commission, presented to Brazilian counterparts, the current status of the pandemic in the city; and discussed the implementation by Chongqing of disease-prevention and control measures. He also talked about international cooperation in fighting the pandemic. The Deputy Director additionally discussed the role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the prevention and control of Covid-19 in Chongqing, a topic of great interest to the Brazilian representatives. Mr Zhou expressed willingness to cooperate with the Brazilian authorities in the prevention and control of Covid-19, namely by using Traditional Chinese Medicine.

“Cooperation in Culture Against Covid-19”

The final session of the third Webinar series focused on cultural cooperation in fighting against Covid-19. Guest speakers from China and Brazil exchanged views on Sino-Brazilian cooperation opportunities in cultural and sports projects, namely involving football, music, the Chinese Lantern Festival, and carnival events. All participants expressed confidence in the potential of Sino-Brazilian cooperation and mentioned willingness to make efforts to deepen cultural exchanges.

The Webinar sessions helped to promote bilateral dialogue and cooperation, as well as collaboration in combatting the epidemic. The Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao – as a liaison platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries – played an active role, online and offline, in supporting the Webinar series. The Permanent Secretariat will continue to pay close attention to the development of the pandemic, actively supporting the Participating Countries of Forum Macao in responding to the challenges posed by the pandemic, and fulfilling Macao’s role as a platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries.