Sarney: Deng Xiaoping is one of the greatest men I admired most

"Deng Xiaoping was one of the greatest men of the 21st century and also one of the greatest men I admired most," said former Brazilian president Jose Sarney.

On August 17 busy in the Brazilian internal affairs, Sarney had an interview with People's Daily's reporter in Brazil. He is now the president of the Brazilian Senate.

In July 1988, Sarney, then Brazilian president, paid a state visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese government. On July 5, Deng Xiaoping received him cordially and held talks with him on comprehensive issues. Sarney said, Deng Xiaoping was full of wisdom and talked with a sense of humor. He left me a deep impression. He said Deng Xiaoping is the chief architect of the reform and opening up policy. At that time Deng said with full confidence that China would certainly achieve its economic development aim by the end of the 20th century. China's economy would be rapidly developed. On talking of China's future, Deng was clear-headed, very rich in insight and a man of foresight. His guiding concepts for reforms and opening to the outside world were a crystallization of Chinese people's wisdom.

Sarney said, during the interview Deng talked of the issues including the social development of mankind and world peace. Deng pointed out that in a considerately long time, the world would be situated in the development period of peaceful co-existence. Guided by Deng's concepts, he seized more spaces for international activities under the then international situation that the United States and the Soviet Union were fighting for world hegemony and won good opportunities for China's reforms and opening up policy. Since then, China has been in the ranks of world powers and made contributions to the peace and development of mankind.

This year is the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. On talking of the relations between the two countries, Sarney recalled that he told Deng it was illogical if we did not talk of China in Asia and if we did not talk of Brazil in South America. Brazil and China should develop their friendly and cooperative relations. Through the test of time, Sino-Brazilian relations will surely be getting closer. Sarney admired very much the penetrating analysis by Deng.

During his visit to China, Sarney also discussed with Chinese leaders on the cooperative projects involving the launching of telecommunications satellites and further boosting the development of their bilateral relations. At the conclusion of their talks, Deng said to Sarney, you were the friend of the Chinese people. Sarney quoted an old Chinese saying: We would not forget the one who dug a well for us when drinking water. Under the joint efforts of Deng and the leaders of both countries the ideal of friendship and cooperation between Brazil and China has been realized. Brazil and China have established the relations of strategic partners. Delighted achievements have been made in the development of the relations in the areas of politics, economy and trade, and culture between the two countries. Sarney said he felt happy from the bottom of his heart on the achievements China made. He hopes the friendly relations between Brazil and China will exist for generations to come.

Sarney said in conclusion that Deng is an excellent leader with firm belief and acute thinking. He contributed his lifelong energy to new China.

By People's Daily Online