Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra is set to make her first state visit to the Chinese mainland from June 25 to 29, following an invitation from President Xi Jinping, as announced by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday.
During her visit, President Boluarte will engage in discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and top legislator Zhao Leji in Beijing. The primary objectives of this visit are to consolidate political trust, deepen practical cooperation, and advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Peru.
The upcoming visit marks the first face-to-face meeting between Xi Jinping and Boluarte since November last year, when they met on the sidelines of the 30th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in San Francisco. Their previous discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in energy, mineral resources, the digital economy, and green development.
President Xi expressed China’s willingness to increase imports of Peruvian agricultural products and encouraged Chinese enterprises to participate in major Peruvian projects based on market principles. Both leaders also agreed to enhance collaboration in education, culture, tourism, and technology sectors.
Throughout her stay, President Boluarte will visit key cities including Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing. Promoting economic and trade cooperation stands as a top priority on her agenda, according to reports from Peruvian media outlets.
China remains Peru’s largest trading partner, while Peru is China’s second-largest investment destination in Latin America. The two nations have a longstanding economic relationship, highlighted by a free trade agreement signed in 2009 and a Memorandum of Understanding on Belt and Road Cooperation established in 2019.
Looking ahead, Peru is scheduled to host the APEC summit in November. Coinciding with this event, the Chancay Port, a significant China-Peru Belt and Road project, is expected to complete its trial operations, marking a milestone in the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Reference(s):
China, Peru aim to beef up trade, BRI cooperation via Boluarte's visit
cgtn.com
