RIO DE JANEIRO, July 26 -- Chinese Ambassador to Brazil Yang Wanming has commemorated the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Brazil bilateral relations, urging the two countries to strengthen ties.

At a seminar themed "45 years of Brazil-China diplomatic relations: from trade to a global partnership" held here on Friday, Yang, together with a number of scholars, discussed the positive results of bilateral relations and cooperation.

In his opening speech, the ambassador talked about how much bilateral trade has grown in the last 45 years, consolidating the friendship and transforming the bilateral relations into a strong partnership.

He recalled that Brazil was the first developing country to establish a strategic partnership with China, and the first Latin American nation to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with China.

China has been Brazil's main export destination and the largest trading partner for a decade, and has become Brazil's largest source of foreign investment, he added.

"These contributions cover a wide range of sectors, such as agriculture, mining and energy, infrastructure, telecommunications and manufacturing, creating more than 40,000 direct jobs in Brazil," the ambassador said.

Yang also highlighted increasing exchanges in areas such as science and technology, education and sports, as well as joint efforts to "defend the rights and legitimate interests of emerging countries."

The ambassador called on Brazil and China to join forces "in the defense of world peace and progress" and highlighted that the two countries share similar responsibilities and challenges.

"We are willing to intensify exchanges at all levels, further supporting the strengthening of our mutual trust and the facilitation of further cooperation," he said.

The ambassador said it is important that Brazil and China keep working together in the technology field, investing in innovation, and cooperating in telecommunications, e-commerce, digital economy, artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

Yang noted that the two countries should also further strengthen exchanges and cooperation between their academics, media, artistic groups and youth.