Xi Jinping at G20: Chinese 'invade' Rio to greet president

Chinese groups gather across Rio to greet Xi Jinping's delegation — Foto: Leo Martins

Since his arrival in Rio late Sunday afternoon,China's President Xi Jinping has been warmly welcomed by his fellow citizens wherever he goes. These groups are organized by a representative,spend about eight hours a day in the streets of Rio,receive snacks,and are mostly accompanied by a security agent from a private company. In each group,one person is responsible for communication with the organizer. Shy,most members avoid contact and question outsiders who approach.

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Throughout the city,Chinese nationals wave Chinese and Brazilian flags. Banners,such as one celebrating "Sino-Brazilian friendship," were installed on Avenida Atlântica,where a group cheered as Xi's entourage passed by on Monday afternoon.

Car carrying Xi Jinping spotted in Copacabana on Monday afternoon — Foto: Leo Martins

With waves,cheers,and fluttering flags,some in the group also filmed the entourage's passage. Haiying Ge,a São Paulo resident,mentioned driving nearly six hours to honor the Chinese delegation's visit to Rio.

— We are very happy he is here — she said.

Haiying Ge joins group on Avenida Atlântica to greet President Xi Jinping — Foto: Rafaela Gama

Interestingly,the group is stationed in front of the Fairmont Hotel,where leaders like President Lula (Brazil) and Emmanuel Macron (France),as well as Prime Ministers Justin Trudeau (Canada),Anthony Albanese (Australia),and Olaf Scholz,Chancellor of Germany,are staying. Xi Jinping,however,is staying at the Sheraton Hotel in São Conrado.

On Sunday,caravans lined up from the exit of the Rebouças Tunnel in Lagoa to São Conrado,forming a corridor to welcome the president. The celebration included drums,the Chinese national anthem,and more flags and banners.

Chinese crowd hotel entrance where Xi Jinping stayed — Foto: Alexandre Cassiano

When the president's car passed through Copacabana's coastline on Monday afternoon,the Chinese celebrated and waved to the entourage.

— I arrived on Saturday. A guy organizing the event invited us,and we came — said a participant who preferred to remain anonymous.

Xi Jinping in Rio

From the Flamengo Park waterfront to Copacabana,various groups gathered with Chinese and Brazilian flags. A group of eight Chinese residents in Brazil positioned themselves in front of the Fogo de Chão steakhouse in Botafogo. Dina Hong,a 65-year-old businesswoman living in São Paulo for 40 years,has been in Rio since Saturday.

Chinese banner installed on Avenida Atlântica in Copacabana — Foto: Leo Martins

— We came to welcome President Xi Jinping. I came with friends to Rio especially for this — said Dina,waving small flags and exclaiming,"Long live Brazil,long live China!

At Aterro do Flamengo,near the Obelisk,three other groups spread across the central lanes' grass.

— It is a tradition in our country to welcome the president at international events. The G20 is an opportunity for countries to come together and discuss topics like hunger,for example — said one participant,who has lived in Rio for a year and chose to remain anonymous.

The translation of this text into english was carried out by Project Irineu,O GLOBO's initiative to develop artificial intelligence tools. Here is the link to the original report.