João Doria, former governor of Brazil’s São Paulo state and mayor of São Paulo city, meets the press in Shenzhen on Jan. 10. Photo by Lin Jianping

Shenzhen serves as a prime example of how technology can enhance people’s quality of life, João Doria, former governor of Brazil’s São Paulo state and mayor of São Paulo city, said in an interview with Shenzhen Daily during the Brazil China Meeting in Shenzhen on Jan. 10. The meeting was an innovative gathering of leaders, investors, and great minds from Brazil and China, bringing together nearly 100 Brazilian entrepreneurs and representatives from both governments.

“The purpose is to stimulate the economic and diplomatic relationship between China and Brazil,” said Doria, co-chairman of LIDE (Group of Corporate Leaders), a private Brazilian organization he founded to promote business relations. “We would like to show Brazilians how technological advancements in Shenzhen benefit people not only in China, but around the world,” Doria said while explaining why the meeting was held in Shenzhen.

This July 2023 photo shows a BYD shop in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. BYD built an electric vehicle production complex in Bahia in July 2023. Photos by Xinhua unless otherwise stated

Doria said many Shenzhen companies, such as BYD, TCL and Tencent, have established themselves in Brazil and are flourishing. BYD’s electric cars have enjoyed great success there. 

The meeting featured seven discussion panels on issues such as agricultural business, mining and commodities, technology, automotive industry, infrastructure and mobility, renewable energy, and investment in Brazil. “It is important to cover various sectors of the Brazilian economy where China will be a supporter, supplier, and partner,” Doria said.

This July 2023 photo shows shoppers looking at BYD cars in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

Doria, who visited BYD’s headquarters in Pingshan District twice when he was governor of the São Paulo state and mayor of São Paulo city, will visit the firm for a third time during this trip. “As you know, BYD has a factory in the São Paulo state, and right now there is a new one in the state of Bahia,” Doria said. “The great surprise is, each time I have this opportunity, I see another factory much bigger than the last one.”

Doria was amazed by Shenzhen’s rapid development, having visited the city every three to four years. “The city’s growth is incredible.”

The Brazil China Meeting was co-hosted by LIDE and Brazil’s leading financial newspaper Valor Econômico.