RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Chinese tone, typically tempered, is gradually rising, showing that China is patient, but patience has limits. Eduardo Bolsonaro, in a tweet on April 1st, repeated what Trump has done a number of times, naming Covid-19 the “Chinese virus“.
At a given moment, Chinese Consul General Li Yang asks the president’s son: “Are you really so naïve and ignorant?”, and added:
“(…) you should know that viruses that cause pandemics are common enemies of humans, and the international community never calls viruses by the name of a country or region to avoid stigmatization and discrimination against any particular ethnic group. The World Health Organization has followed this rule of international law in naming the novel coronavirus ‘Covid-19‘. Furthermore, the origin of this virus has yet to be confirmed (…)”
“The director of the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention has already acknowledged that during the so-called ‘flu epidemic’ in the United States last year, some people would have died from Covid-19. This justifies that the United States was most likely the source of Covid-19. But can we baptize Covid-19 as the ‘American virus’? No! Likewise, no one in the world can call Zika a ‘Brazilian virus’, despite the fact that Zika’s epidemic has occurred and cases still frequently occur in Brazil”.
The moral lesson given by the Chinese diplomat is extensive.
“Have you been brainwashed by the United States?” asks the consul to remind him that “For two successive years, two-thirds of Brazil’s foreign trade surplus came from China, its largest trading partner! (…) Brazil must not become a vassal or a chess piece of another country, otherwise, the result would be a total defeat in a game of good cards, as a Chinese proverb says”.
What follows is a clear message, which certainly is not intended solely for the Bolsonaro family:
“Deputy Eduardo, there is at least one similarity between the Chinese Confucian culture and the Brazilian Christian culture which is the belief that there is always cause in everything, which is why we must reflect on the consequences before doing anything (…) China has never wanted nor does it want to create enmities with any country. However, if any country insists on being China’s enemy, we will be its most qualified enemy! Fortunately, despite all your insults to China, you will not be able to turn China into an enemy of Brazil, because you truly cannot represent the great country that is Brazil. But as you are a federal deputy, your words will inevitably have a negative impact on bilateral relations”.
The letter ends with an appeal. This appeal is one that everyone, starting with the author of the letter, is aware that he has no chance of being heeded: “be a truly responsible Brazilian, instead of being used as a weapon by others”.
Read the full text below.
Wevergton Brito Lima, i21 Editor
Open letter to Eduardo Bolsonaro
By Li Yang, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Rio de Janeiro
Congressman Eduardo, your tweet posted on April 1st, calling Covid-19 a “Chinese virus”, is yet another insult to China you made after posting tweets on March 18th to maliciously attack China. Are you really so naïve and ignorant? As a Federal Deputy of the Federative Republic of Brazil who has some experience in dealing with international affairs, you should know that viruses that cause pandemics are common enemies of humans, and the international community never calls viruses by the name of a country or region to avoid stigmatization and discrimination against any particular ethnic group.
The World Health Organization has followed this rule of international law in naming the novel coronavirus “Covid-19”. Furthermore, the origin of this virus has yet to be confirmed. The Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan does not necessarily imply that Wuhan was the unquestioned source of the novel coronavirus. The director of the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention has already acknowledged that during the so-called “flu epidemic” in the US last year, some people may have died from Covid-19. This proves that the United States was most likely the source of Covid-19. But can we baptize Covid-19 as the “American virus”? No! Likewise, no one in the world can name Zika as “Brazilian virus”, despite the fact that Zika’s epidemic has occurred and cases still occur frequently in Brazil.
Is it because of your hatred for China that you often attack China? But where does this hatred come from? The rapprochement between China and Brazil is the result of a historical development with a natural foundation. Both China and Brazil are great emerging countries with a massive territory and population, with rich and colorful cultures and pleasant and friendly people. Both countries have ambitious plans to promote national prosperity and wealth, as well as ambition to safeguard international peace and justice.
Even more significant is the fact that there are no historical differences or current conflicts between the two countries which have already become global strategic partners. The Chinese people always embrace the Brazilian people with earnest friendship, treating Brazil as our brother and partner country. Mutual respect and long-term mutual gain cooperation between the two countries provide pragmatic benefits to both peoples. For two successive years, two-thirds of Brazil’s foreign trade surplus came from China, its largest trading partner!
That is why both your father’s generation and that of your age are all dedicated to promoting Sino-Brazilian friendly cooperation. In short, your behavior rows against the tide and not only places you in the opposing place of China’s 1.4 billion people but also leaves the absolute majority of Brazilians embarrassed, as well as creating inconvenience for your father, who is the President of the Republic. It’s truly evidence of ignorance regarding the present time!
Have you been brainwashed by the United States and intend to firmly follow their lead against China? The United States was indeed a great and glorious country. Yet at this critical point in the development of human civilization, the United States has lost its historical position and sense of development, becoming almost entirely a cause of trouble in international affairs, and a source of threat to world peace and security. Today’s American leaders have already forgotten the ideals of the country’s founding fathers to ensure justice.
Moreover, they have become political monsters riddled with ideological prejudices against other countries and lacking the ability to govern, which can be explained by their horrific performance in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic in the United States. On the other hand, as a power brimming with vitality and on the rise, Brazil must and is capable of making important contributions to the progress of human civilization, provided that it has its own strategic vision, has its correct perspective on international affairs and plays its own constructive role. Brazil must not become a vassal or a pawn for another country, otherwise, the result would be a total defeat in a game of good cards, as a Chinese proverb says.
Deputy Eduardo, there is at least one similarity between the Chinese Confucian culture and the Brazilian Christian culture, which is the belief that there is always cause in everything, which is why we need to think about the consequences before doing anything. As you are not an ordinary person, you should understand that reason better. What is the most important thing for Brazil now? Undoubtedly, it is to safeguard the lives and health of hundreds of millions of people and to minimize the impact of the pandemic on the Brazilian, Chinese and world economies through China-Brazil cooperation in the fight against Covid-19.
China has never wished nor does it wish to create enmities with any country. However, if any country insists on being China’s enemy, we will be its most dangerous enemy! Fortunately, despite all your insults to China, you will not be able to make China into an enemy of Brazil, because you truly cannot represent the great country that is Brazil. However, as you are a federal deputy, your words will inevitably have a negative impact on bilateral relations. That would be a great shame! It would fully contaminate and pollute the healthy environment that China and Brazil have conquered so far.
It is, therefore, preferable to be wiser and more rational. You may not think about China, but you cannot stop thinking about Brazil. The fiend of Covid-19 has finally reached the wonderful land of Brazil. At this crucial moment of bilateral cooperation in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, it would be more prudent not to cause further trouble. More importantly, be a truly responsible Brazilian instead of being used as a weapon by others!