President Xi eyes new stage of China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership

China is ready to work with Peru to push their comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level for the betterment of the peoples of the two countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday during talks with his Peruvian counterpart Dina Boluarte in Lima.

President Xi arrived in Peru on Thursday to pay a state visit and attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

During his talks with Boluarte, Xi pointed out that China and Peru are both ancient civilizations. "The profound accumulation of ancient civilizations has endowed China and Peru with wisdom and minds, enabling us to see the direction of history, follow the trend of the times," he said.

He highlighted that the two countries have always adhered to the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual learning, becoming a model of solidarity and cooperation between countries of different sizes, systems and cultures.

Over the past 53 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Peru relations have maintained good development, the Chinese president noted, adding that thanks to the joint efforts of the two sides, the volume of trade between China and Peru has increased by 1.6 times since 2016, the investment stock of Chinese enterprises in Peru has doubled and the upgrading of the China-Peru Free Trade Agreement has been completed, delivering tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.

The Chinese president called on the two countries to summarize the successful experience of China-Peru cooperation, further improve the top-level design, strengthen trade and investment, promote cooperation in both traditional and emerging industries, and enhance the integration of industrial and supply chains.

President Xi also urged efforts to improve the quality and effectiveness of bilateral practical cooperation and expressed optimism about the broad prospects for cooperation between the two sides.

He told Boluarte that China cherishes the traditional friendship with Peru and appreciates that the Peruvian Congress has designated every February 1 as Peru-China Fraternity Day.

Xi also stressed that Chancay Port is a successful project within the Belt and Road Initiative. He said China is willing to take Chancay Port as a starting point to forge a new land-sea corridor between China and Latin America to link the Inca Trail and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road, and open up a path of common prosperity for Peru and other Latin American and Caribbean countries. Xi and Boluarte later attended an inauguration ceremony for the port via video link.

Xi also told his Peruvian counterpart that China will encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Peru and is willing to share its experience in industrial park construction with Peru.

The Chinese president emphasized that the two sides should strengthen exchanges of governance experience, enhance strategic mutual trust, firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, and expand cooperation in areas such as anti-corruption and combating illegal fishing.

Xi added that China and Peru should explore establishing a global network for dialogue and cooperation among civilizations.

He expressed China's willingness to deepen exchanges and cooperation in culture, art, education and cultural heritage preservation with Peru, adding that China is prepared to increase the number of scholarships offered to Peruvian students.

It is hoped that young people of the two countries will get to know each other and pass on the friendship between China and Peru from generation to generation, he added.

Noting that Asia-Pacific economies are deeply integrated, Xi stated that enhancing solidarity and cooperation, as well as maintaining regional stability and prosperity, serves the common interests of the Asia-Pacific family and the Global South.

The Chinese president also voiced China's full support for Peru's role as host of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on Friday, saying that China is willing to work with all parties to promote the success of the meeting and to advance the building of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.

China is also willing to continue to strengthen communication and collaboration with Peru within the framework of the China-Latin America Forum, and to make positive contributions to the development of China-Latin America relations, Xi added.

Boluarte, for her part, welcomed Xi's visit to Peru, stating that President Xi's visit marks an important milestone in the bilateral relationship, opens a new chapter in the comprehensive strategic partnership, and enables the peoples of both countries to work together toward a more sustainable and prosperous future. She added that it will also promote the building of a Peru-China community with a shared future.

She praised the two countries' firm commitment to pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation and common development, noting that China has long been Peru's most important trading partner, especially since the launch of Belt and Road Initiative cooperation, which has produced fruitful results in various fields.

Referring to Chancay Port, Boluarte expressed her belief that the port will become a key bridge between Latin America and Asia, as well as an important driver of Peru's economic growth.

It will vigorously promote connectivity and trade between Peru and other countries in the Latin American region, as well as with China and even in Asia, and contribute to the sustainable development of the two countries and the region, she added.

The Peruvian president reiterated that her country firmly sticks to the one-China principle.