Lula: From Prisoner to President

　　Lula is one of the most legendary presidents in Brazilian history, and his life experience is full of ups and downs and miracles. He went from poor kid to working leader, from opponent to changemaker, from loser to winner, from prisoner to back on top. He is the “Son of Brazil” and the “Father of Brazil”.
　　Brazil’s new President Lula paid an official visit to China from April 12 to 15. This was his first overseas visit since he was elected on October 30 last year.
　　Lula is one of the most legendary presidents in Brazilian history. His life experience is full of ups and downs and miracles: he grew from poor child to worker leader, from opponent to changer, from loser to winner, from prison Prisoner to return to the top.
　　
　　”The Spokesperson of the Poor”
　　 In October 1945, Lula was born in a poor rural family with 6 older brothers and sisters. When he was 5 years old, he left his hometown with his parents to the state of Sao Paulo, which has a high degree of industrialization. He came out to work before finishing elementary school, and worked as a shoe shine boy and lathe worker. At the age of 18, he lost his left little finger due to a work injury.
　　 Lula did not stop learning and progressing because of poverty and misfortune. He taught himself French, English and Spanish in his spare time and earned his secondary school diploma by attending evening classes. He also actively participated in trade union activities and fought for workers’ rights.
　　 In the early 1970s, Lula gradually grew from a trade union activist to a trade union leader, becoming a “spokesperson for the poor” and a vanguard against the military government. In 1980, he participated in the creation of the Brazilian Labor Party and was elected as the party chairman. In 1985, the Brazilian military government ended, and Lula began to emerge in Brazilian politics.
　　 However, Lula’s rise to power has not been smooth sailing. He ran for president three times, in 1989, 1994 and 1998, all of which ended in defeat. It was not until 2002 that Lula won a big victory in the fourth attempt, becoming the first worker-born president in Brazilian history, and was successfully re-elected in 2006.
　　
　　”Son of Brazil”
　　 During Lula’s administration, he vigorously promoted economic and social reforms, which enabled Brazil’s economy to achieve rapid growth and structural adjustment. Brazil’s poor population was significantly reduced, and Brazil gained more respect and voice on the international stage. When he left office, his approval rate was still over 80%, and he was called the “son of Brazil”.
　　 Lula boosted the vitality and competitiveness of the Brazilian economy by lowering interest rates, reforming the tax system, increasing exports, promoting investment, and strengthening infrastructure construction. During his administration, Brazil’s economy grew at an average annual rate of 4.3%, becoming the world’s sixth largest economy and an important member of the BRICS. Lula also promoted Brazil’s reindustrialization, developed strategic industries such as automobiles, aviation, and oil, and improved Brazil’s technological innovation capabilities.
　　 Lula also had a profound impact on Brazil’s social reform. He promoted people’s livelihood programs such as “Zero Hunger” and “Family Grant”, which reduced the number of poor people in Brazil from 55 million in 2003 to 26 million in 2010, making Brazil a model of poverty reduction recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. He also focused on solving social problems such as employment, education, health, housing, social security, and the disparity between the rich and the poor, and improved the living standards and happiness of the Brazilian people.
　　 Lula also made outstanding contributions to Brazilian diplomacy. He pursued a “pragmatic and balanced” diplomatic strategy, improved and developed relations with countries and regions, and won more respect and the right to speak on the international stage. He actively participated in global governance, promoted the establishment of a new international order, and safeguarded the interests of developing countries. He also strengthened cooperation with China and other emerging powers, providing strong support for Brazil’s economic development. During his tenure, Brazil also successfully hosted the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, demonstrating Brazil’s cultural charm and national image.
　　
　　Imprisonment and return to the top
　　 However , in the large-scale anti-corruption investigation launched in 2014, Lula and many other top Labor Party leaders were involved. In 2017, he was found guilty of corruption and money laundering and served his sentence in prison in 2018.
　　 In prison, Lula continued to pay attention to current affairs at home and abroad, published comments and statements, calling on the public to defend democracy and justice. In March 2021, the Federal Supreme Court of Brazil declared Lula’s conviction invalid and restored his political rights. This gives Lula the chance to run again in the 2022 presidential election.
　　 In the second round of voting on October 30, 2022, Lula was successfully elected as the new President of Brazil with 50.83% of the vote. This is the third time he has entered the presidential palace “Plateau Palace”, and it is also his road to rebirth after his prison life.
　　 Lula’s return undoubtedly brought new hopes and opportunities to Brazil. He faces great challenges and pressure, but also has a wealth of experience and charm. He has led Brazil out of adversity, and he has maintained his faith in prison. He is an indomitable fighter, but also a leader with dreams and feelings. He is the “Son of Brazil” and the “Father of Brazil”.
　　
　　The future of Brazil and China
　　 Lula delivered a victory speech after his victory, thanking the Brazilian people for their trust and support, and promising to unite the country, revive the economy, improve people’s livelihood, protect the environment, and restore Brazil’s status and reputation in the world. He also said that Brazil will maintain friendly and cooperative relations with all countries and regions, especially with important partners like China.
　　 Lula has visited China many times and witnessed China’s rapid development, especially China’s great achievements in rejuvenating the country through science and education, poverty alleviation, and infrastructure construction. He often publicly praised the ruling ability of the Chinese Communist Party. In recent years, the Brazilian Workers’ Party has maintained inter-party contacts with the Communist Party of China, and many leaders of the Workers’ Party have visited China. Lula said that by visiting China again now, he can gain a deeper understanding of the mysteries of China’s economic operation.
　　 China and Pakistan are comprehensive strategic partners and important members of BRICS cooperation. The two countries have extensive and in-depth cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, trade, culture and people-to-people exchanges. China is one of Brazil’s largest trading partners and investment sources, and Brazil is China’s largest trading partner and one of the largest investment destinations in Latin America. The two countries have maintained close communication and coordination in maintaining multilateralism and promoting global governance.
　　 Lula’s visit this time has injected new impetus and vitality into China-Pakistan relations and opened up new space and opportunities for cooperation between the two countries. It is believed that under the joint guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the joint efforts of the two peoples, and the joint promotion of the two parties, China-Pakistan relations will reach a new level, better benefit the two countries and the two peoples, and contribute to the maintenance of Make due contributions to regional and world peace and stability, and promote common prosperity.