BEIJING, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing on Wednesday to attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima and pay a state visit to Peru.
At the invitation of Peruvian and Brazilian presidents, President Xi Jinping will travel to the two countries to attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima and the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro and pay state visits to the two countries respectively, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday.
Elaborating on Xi's visits, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing Friday that President Xi's attendance at the APEC meeting and G20 summit fully shows the great importance China attaches to Asia-Pacific economic cooperation and its staunch support for multilateralism.
Mao said Xi's state visits to Peru and Brazil will further consolidate political mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation with the two countries.
Chinese experts said the visits highlight a strategic leading role of the head-of-state diplomacy in terms of deepening ties between China and Latin America and pursuit of Global South solidarity, given that the visits coincide with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Brazil ties, and also the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum.
Moreover, as the world faces complex challenges including geopolitical conflicts, economic downturn, and uncertainties brought by geopolitics, China's position and roles on improving global governance, promoting Asia-Pacific economic and trade cooperation, and sustainable and high-quality development will undoubtedly be in the center of the spotlight in the upcoming multilateral stages, experts said.
Reaching a new height
Global attention will be on Latin America in the coming weeks as Peru will host the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and Brazil will host the 19th G20 Summit. China is not only the largest trading partner of both countries, but also maintains a stable and mutually beneficial comprehensive strategic partnership with them, as well as close high-level interactions.
Prior to Xi's upcoming state visit to Peru, the Chinese president has met with Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra in Beijing on June 28, during which Xi said that China stands ready to work with Peru to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights.
After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of the Joint Action Plan (2024-2029) of the two countries, and multiple bilateral cooperation documents regarding economic and trade relations, digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, inspection and quarantine, and news media, among others. The two sides announced the completion of negotiations on upgrading their free-trade agreement.
The flagship project between Beijing and Lima, the Chancay Port, is also expected to be inaugurated soon. Once completed, it will significantly reduce the costs and time of the transportation from South America to China.
Zhou Zhiwei, an expert on Latin American studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the Chancay port will further narrow the distance between China and Peru, and will act as an acceleration engine for future economic and trade cooperation between China and Peru as well as the whole region.
Data show that China is Peru's largest trading partner, number one export market and number one source of imports.
Meanwhile, China and Brazil have maintained a comprehensive strategic partnership. Data show that China has been Brazil's top trading partner for 15 consecutive years, while Brazil is China's largest trading partner and direct investment destination in Latin America, with bilateral trade exceeded $100 billion for six consecutive years.
On August 15, 2024, Xi exchanged congratulatory messages with Brazilian President Luiz In