Though halfway across the world from China, Brazil is now getting much closer! On Tuesday, the Brazil Expo opened at the Beijing International Exhibition Center, giving Chinese people a chance to learn more about the country's Latin charms. The Expo is also one of the events celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil.

The flamboyant songs and dances of the Brazilian carnival are perhaps some of the country's features best known to Chinese people. So the expo welcomes the audiences with a tropical feast of sound and movement.

But Brazil has more than its carnival to be proud of. Its rich opportunities for tourism, its distinctive handicrafts, its gourmet delicacies -- not to mention the world's top ranking football team -- have won the country a reputation in many areas. And all of this is on full display at the expo.

As organizers of the first such large-scale exhibition in China, the hosts are eager to introduce their homeland to Chinese people.

Wladimir Pomar, Chairman of Brazil Int'l Communication Asso., said, "It's a long distance between Brazil and China, but now we're trying to shorten the distance through this expo. So we've brought a bird exhibition, dance performances and a conference on Brazilian history and culture here. We hope China will help us to introduce more to the Chinese people."

During the four-day event, visitors will feast on typical Brazilian cuisine, including barbecued meat, fruit and coffee, watch classic Brazilian films, and enjoy many other surprises.

Representatives from Brazilian industries such as business, agriculture, and power generation have also been introduced to their Chinese counterparts in the search for opportunities to cooperate. It will still take some time for Brazil to really get close to China, but the first step seems to have been well taken.

(CCTV.com September 1, 2004)