China.org.cn:

Why do you think that increasing the understanding between the two countries can help to develop their economies?

Hugueney:

Well, International Relations in the end have relationships between the people as a foundation. If the country is better known in the other country, people understand each other, especially between countries such as ours, with very different cultures. But we also have many things in common. We should not forget that immigration from China to Brazil started in 1835. The Chinese went to Brazil to develop the culture of tea, to plant “cha”, and to develop the trade and the culture of silk. So, for many centuries trade between the two countries was very important. Many things we have in Brazil, like the fan or the form of the tiles of some of our old houses, come from China. So there have always been link between our nations. Although China has a history of five thousand years, there are also links that attach both peoples. We should develop this relationship in the human area more strongly. Nowadays, Chinese people admire Brazilian soccer, they like Brazilian music, but our art is very diverse, just like arts in China. Brazilian modern art is extremely interesting and diverse. We have classical music, dance, theater that can also be enjoyed by Chinese audiences. I also think that China has the chance to develop the knowledge about China and Chinese people in Brazil; this will be very much appreciated. If we exchange students and teachers, if we develop cultural centers like the Confucius centre, or like the centers of Brazilian studies in Chinese academic institutions, this will create a permanent solid basis in the relationship between these two countries.