Beijing’s Sister City Links Get Rio Boost

China, Brazil ride on waves of possibilities as they mark 50 years of diplomatic ties.

Eliandro Libania, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt coach, has found a unique bond with Beijing, where he has lived for the past five years.

"I feel comfortable here. Beijing is my favorite Chinese city," said Libania, who was born in Rio de Janeiro. "I decided to stay because I have great friends and supportive students. I love my job, and it's rewarding to see my students grow and gain confidence."

Libania, who teaches at Nova Uniao Beijing, which draws its name from a well-known martial arts team in Rio de Janeiro, said the key to jiu-jitsu is building confidence. "Like kung fu, it's about respect. Many Brazilians know kung fu, thanks to figures such as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan."

Zhang Zhang, a Beijing resident, said he has learned a great deal from Libania. "We see learning and practicing together as a great opportunity to get to know one another better."

In fact, the team feels like a family, said Zhang, now a purple belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor.

"When I first started jiu-jitsu six years ago, it was still niche, but now it has a strong foundation, especially among young people. After practicing jiu-jitsu I've developed a desire to visit Brazil one day to experience its beaches, the ocean, and, of course, the passionate samba dancers," Zhang said. "Beijing and Rio may be far apart, but we're united by shared cultural ties."

Beijing and Rio became sister cities in 1986, and over the years that partnership seems only to have grown stronger.

Both cities have hosted the Summer Olympics — Beijing in 2008 and Rio in 2016 — and the Games spirit is embedded in both cities. To celebrate three decades of sisterhood ties, the Rio Olympic emblem was lit at the National Stadium in Beijing on Aug 4, 2016, the eve of the opening of the Rio Games.

"The Olympic Games were an opportunity for both cities to showcase their strengths," said Renan Ferreirinha, secretary of education of Rio de Janeiro, who paid a visit to Beijing earlier this year.

"I think Beijing is where humanity has created some of the most beautiful things on earth, and with Rio nature has gifted us with the most beautiful city in the world."

A group of architecture students from Tsinghua University recently went on an educational tour to Brazil, including Rio de Janeiro, where they met local professors and students. "Rio, nestled between mountains and the sea, is a cityscape shaped by nature," said Yue Kaijian, the group's student counselor. "We were amazed by its beauty."

In 2012, Rio's distinctive landscape earned UNESCO recognition and was inscribed on the World Heritage List under the title "Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea". The term Carioca is used to refer to anything related to the city of Rio. Similarly, Beijing's Forbidden City, an imperial palace complex, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

"What impressed me most was the rich history and culture that Beijing carries," said Marcia Melchior, coordinator and artistic director of the Copacabana Fort Orchestra, named after the Copacabana Fort in Rio de Janeiro.

"Every place we visited, from the Forbidden City to the Great Wall, conveyed a sense of grandeur and tradition that was deeply inspiring. What truly marked this experience was the warmth and hospitality we encountered at each performance and meeting," Melchior said.

The orchestra, made up largely of young musicians from low-income families, was invited to Beijing to perform at a reception event at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil.

They also had a chance to perform with students of Peking University and Beijing Technology and Business University.

Michelly Gondim, one of three singers with the orchestra, said the trip fostered deep friendships and cultural appreciation.

"It's an incredible opportunity to immerse ourselves in a new culture. Everyone is thrilled to be part of it."

Having learned to sing some Chinese songs, such as Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin (The Moon Represents My Heart) and Wo Ai Ni, Zhong Guo (I Love You, China), Gondim said she made many Chinese friends during the trip and enjoyed the tour.

With some orchestra members now singing in Chinese, "we feel very proud", Melchior said, adding that it has not only expanded their repertoire but also opened new doors for artistic exchange.

Melchior, who is also president of the Riomont Cultural Center, an organization dedicated to spreading Chinese culture in Brazil, said: "I started by introducing Chinese music into the orchestra, allowing members to connect with Chinese language and culture. This exposure deepened as our collaboration with Chinese companies and institutions expanded."

Gondim said her experience with the orchestra has been invaluable for her university studies in vocal performance and her path as a music teacher. "I'm grateful for it," she said.

Melchior talked of the impact of the orchestra on young musicians from low-income families. "We have many inspiring stories of musicians whose lives have been transformed," she said. "Many have been accepted into prestigious institutions as musicians, and for those who don't pursue a musical career, the discipline and dedication carry over, leading to professional success in other fields.

"These journeys show how music can break down barriers and open new possibilities for the future."

The orchestra, in recognition of its artistic achievements, was recently designated an intangible cultural heritage of the Rio de Janeiro State.

"We're very happy with this recognition," Melchior said. "Without the support of CNOOC Brazil, we would not have come this far."

She was referring to China National Offshore Oil Corporation, whose president in Brazil, Huang Yehua, said supporting the Copacabana Fort Orchestra and participating in other community projects are integral to the company's commitment to engaging with local society and sharing the benefits of development.

"Through musical traditions, histories, culture, and stories of both China and Brazil, we can establish a lasting and solid bond for economic exchange between our two nations," Huang said.

The orchestra will adopt the name "Sound of the Sea" soon, symbolizing the harmony of cultures across a vast ocean of friendship between the two countries, Huang added.

Huang is a recipient of the Tiradentes Medal, the highest honor of Rio de Janeiro State, and has had honorary citizenship of Rio de Janeiro city bestowed on him.

"We have long considered ourselves Cariocas and seen Rio as our second home in this land filled with passion," Huang said, adding that these honors reflect the deep affection of and the high recognition from the people of Rio for Chinese companies such as CNOOC.

"Leveraging CNOOC's technical expertise, we will work closely with Brazilian businesses and society, injecting new vitality into China-Brazil cooperation."

Since CNOOC entered Brazil in 2013, the Beijing-headquartered company has invested nearly $8 billion in the country, establishing close economic ties with Brazil. After a decade of growth, the company has become the fifth-largest oil producer in Brazil. It has implemented a range of localization initiatives to create growth opportunities and career paths for local employees, Huang said.

"China and Brazil enjoy strong commercial ties, backed by the complementarity of their economies," said Alana Camoca, a professor of political science and international relations at the Rio de Janeiro State University.

One of the key sectors benefiting from growing bilateral collaboration is mining, with Chinese demand for iron ore driving important exports from Brazil. Vale, a multinational corporation headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, has been at the forefront of this trade.

Vale's first iron ore shipment to China was delivered in 1973, "one year before diplomatic relations between Brazil and China were established", said Xie Xue, president of Vale China.

Since 2014, China has accounted for more than half of Vale's iron ore exports, solidifying its role as the company's primary export destination and as a cornerstone of Vale's growth and sustainability efforts, Xie said.

She noted the Sol do Cerrado solar energy park in Brazil's Minas Gerais State as an example of this collaboration, where photovoltaic modules and spare parts supplied by the Chinese solar panel manufacturer JinkoSolar helped Vale achieve total renewable electricity consumption in Brazil in 2023, two years ahead of schedule.

Since 2009, China has been Brazil's largest trading partner and a key source of foreign investment, and Brazil has emerged as China's largest trading partner in Latin America.

This year's 50th anniversary has been marked by vibrant celebrations in both countries, including light shows on Aug 15 at the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall in Beijing, illuminated with the flags of China and Brazil, and Rio's Lapa Arches, glowing in red.

Brazil was the guest of honor at the Beijing International Film Festival in April, where four Brazilian films showcasing the country's cultural diversity were featured. The Chinese Film Festival in Brazil opened in Rio on Nov 4, with nine Chinese films screened.

"Beijing-Rio city diplomacy plays a vital role in strengthening the ties between China and Brazil," Camoca said. "Increased interactions between cities facilitate the proliferation of trade opportunities and investment prospects in both Brazil and China."

It is hoped that both cities and countries will continue to build stronger connections, she said.

"Rio de Janeiro is one of Beijing's most important sister cities in Latin America. Since their partnership began almost four decades ago, the two cities have worked together in areas such as trade, culture, and the Olympics," said Chen Yang, director of the Pacific Rim Affairs Division of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality.

"Standing on the new milestone of China-Brazil 50 years of relations, we will continue to strengthen the friendship between the two cities, fostering greater fruits in their cooperation," Chen said.

Libania, the jiu-jitsu coach, said he plans to continue living and teaching in Beijing, and embracing the city's dynamism. He sees it as a place of opportunities and personal growth, both for himself and his students.

"I want to keep my name here and build my team," Libania added.