Brazil leads the world in attracting Chinese investment in 2025, according to a study by CEBC.

Brazil was the country that received the most Chinese investment in the world in 2025, with investments reaching US$6.1 billion in projects distributed across 20 Brazilian states. This is according to a new study released today by the Brazil-China Business Council (CEBC). Titled “Chinese Investments in Brazil – 2025: Mining, Electric Mobility and Renewables,” the survey was presented at an online event broadcast live via Zoom and YouTube. The program included opening remarks by Ambassador Luiz Augusto de Castro Neves, President of CEBC, and José Leandro Borges, Director of Bradesco, followed by a presentation of the study by Tulio Cariello, Director of Content and Research at CEBC and author of the publication. Cariello highlighted that Brazil's performance was driven mainly by the electricity and mining sectors, which practically tied for the lead. “Investments in electricity, including solar and wind energy, have grown continuously and reached US$1.79 billion in 2025. Meanwhile, investments in mining more than tripled compared to the previous year, totaling US$1.76 billion, with acquisitions made by Chinese companies in segments such as nickel and copper, which are essential for production chains associated with the energy transition,” he stated. Investments by Chinese companies in the automotive sector have also reached a new level. “The inauguration of GWM and BYD factories in the country and the start of local production demonstrate the maturation of projects focused on electric mobility in Brazil,” Cariello emphasized. According to the study, the value invested by Chinese companies in the automotive sector reached at least US$965 million in 2025, a 66% increase compared to the previous year. Following the presentation of the study, the event featured a debate moderated by Cláudia Trevisan, Executive Director of CEBC, with the participation of Danilo Goulart, Chief Representative Officer of Bradesco in Hong Kong; Ricardo Bastos, President of the Brazilian Electric Vehicle Association (ABVE) and Director of Institutional Affairs at GWM Brasil; and Adriana Waltrick, CEO of SPIC Brasil. According to Goulart, the growth of Chinese investments in Brazil combines both cyclical and structural factors. He mentioned the more fragmented international landscape, the restrictions faced by Chinese companies in some markets, and the growing interest in strategic sectors such as mining and production chains linked to the energy transition. At the same time, he emphasized that Brazil has long-term relevance for China and that the bilateral relationship has been maturing with the diversification of investments. “The commercial relationship between China and Brazil has been maturing over time. We are bringing in more sectors, and the study shows investments in 20 Brazilian states. This requires knowledge of the country, the production chain, and local conditions,” stated Goulart. According to him, the new wave of investments represents an important opportunity, but it requires institutional and business preparation for the projects to consolidate sustainably. Ricardo Bastos highlighted the advancement of electric mobility in Brazil and the role of Chinese companies in this process. According to him, sales of electrified vehicles represent a growing share of the national market, while China remains a global technological reference in the sector. For Bastos, the arrival of Chinese automakers in Brazil marks a new stage, but also requires adaptation to the local reality. “The Chinese model has been very successful, but it is not simply exportable. To operate and manufacture in Brazil, it is necessary to understand the local conditions and adapt this model to the Brazilian reality,” he stated. Bastos also emphasized that Brazil has a relevant automotive chain, historically linked to traditional industry, and that the challenge now is to promote the migration and incorporation of new technologies related to electrification. Adriana Waltrick, in turn, highlighted Brazil's attractiveness for investments in renewable energy, not only because of the availability of natural resources, but also because of the regulatory structure, long-term contracts, and the presence of financing instruments. According to her, the country has important conditions to attract Chinese companies in the sector, especially in a global context of increasing demand for clean energy. “Brazil has a renewable electricity matrix that the whole world would like to have. We are where the world wants to be in 2050,” stated Waltrick. The CEO of SPIC Brazil also drew attention to regulatory and operational challenges, such as the need for transmission expansion, greater digitalization of the electricity system, advances in storage, green hydrogen, and the integration of different energy sources. Sponsored by Bradesco Corporate, the study updates the flow and stock of Chinese investments in Brazil between 2007 and 2025, analyzing values, number of projects, sectoral and geographic distribution, and capital entry modalities. Between 2007 and 2025, Chinese investments in Brazil accumulated US$ 85.5 billion through 355 projects.

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.