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We recently were fortunate enough to have the pleasure of visiting the Brazilian Consulate in Hong Kong and speaking to the Consul-General. While separated by distance, and despite the relatively small population of ~1000 Brazilian nationals in Hong Kong, there is a large economic relationship between Hong Kong and Brazil, which forms a key pillar in the overall relationship between the two. Trade in 2023 amounted to over US$2.9 billion, with agribusiness forming the majority of Brazilian imports in Hong Kong and electronics being Hong Kong’s biggest export to Brazil. Hong Kong, the Consul-General explained, is a gateway to China for Brazil.

 

While cultural connections between Hong Kong and Brazil are limited now, the Consulate has actively increased the profile of Brazilian culture and promoted Brazilian literature in Chinese, participated in the Hong Kong Book Fair, and promoted Brazilian Classical Music in Hong Kong. Tourism is another area the Consulate hopes to develop. The Consul-General expressed his hope for increased tourism and highlighted his hope for direct flights to Brazil, including that of business tourism and educational tourism.

 

When asked about his personal journey, Consul-General Manuel Innocencio De Lacerdia Santos Jr. explained that his parents were in the foreign service and that it was natural for him to follow suit. Having first visited Hong Kong in 1997, he was drawn to the city’s vibrancy and the cosmopolitan nature of Hong Kong, similar to how Brazilian culture itself is a melting pot of many different cultures and diasporas. In his experiences, he noted that studying international law and history was necessary and that it is important to learn from one’s mistakes and those of others.

 

Thank you to the Consulate of Brazil and Consul-General Manuel Innocencio De Lacerdia Santos Jr. for this fantastic opportunity!