Chinese, Peruvian foreign ministers meet in Beijing

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Peruvian Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer in Beijing on Monday, with the two sides vowing to deepen bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

Wang noted that Peru was among the first Latin American countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the first in the region to sign a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with China. For 11 consecutive years, China has remained Peru's largest trading partner and top export destination, he pointed out.

The Chinese foreign minister said China deeply appreciates Peru's longstanding adherence to the one-China principle and remains confident about the future of China-Peru relations.

He pledged that China will continue to firmly support Peru on issues concerning its core interests and is committed to fully implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state.

Wang called for advancing the China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels for the benefit of both peoples.

Noting Chancay Port is not only a flagship project of bilateral cooperation but also a powerful example of how developing countries can strengthen unity and achieve mutual growth, Wang said the direct route between Chancay Port and Shanghai will boost Peru's development capacity and enhance its role in regional growth.

He also urged efforts to accelerate the approval of the protocol to upgrade the bilateral free trade agreement, and expedite negotiations on a bilateral agreement to avoid double taxation.

Schialer praised the solid foundation of mutual respect, equality, and shared interests that underpins the China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership. He reaffirmed Peru's firm commitment to the one-China principle, stating that Peru recognizes Taiwan as an integral part of China.

As one of the first Latin American countries to join the BRI, Peru looks forward to deepening cooperation with China in politics, trade, science and technology, and culture, he noted.

He expressed Peru's willingness to co-develop the Chancay Port industrial park, expand free trade collaboration, and accelerate negotiations on the avoidance of double taxation agreement.

The two sides also exchanged views on China-Latin America cooperation and pledged to jointly contribute to the success of the upcoming ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum.