From November 13-17, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Peru at the invitation of his Peruvian counterpart Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, to attend the 31st APEC [Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation] Economic Leaders’ Meeting and to pay a state visit to the country. He then visited Brazil from November 17-21 at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to attend the 19th G20 Summit and pay a state visit.
Immediately prior to his Peruvian visit, Xi published an article in the El Peruano newspaper entitled, “China-Peru Friendship: Setting Sail Toward an Even Brighter Future”. He noted that:
“It is widely believed in the archaeology communities of China and other countries that the Chinese civilisation and the civilisations of the Americas were in fact created by descendants of the same ancestors at different periods and in different locations,” and added:
“Peruvian thinker José Carlos Mariátegui once said, ‘Spiritually and materially, China is closer to us than Europe. The psychology of our people is more Asian than Western.’ This is the ‘code of civilisation’ that explains the inseparable bond between immigrants of Chinese origin and the local people, forged through seamless integration and familial ties over the past 175 years.”
Xi’s reference to Mariátegui is of special significance. In his speech to our September 28 conference marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Dr. Francisco Dominguez noted:
In 1959, Lui Shaoqi, a leader of the revolution said, the Chinese revolution exerts a formidable ‘attraction for the peoples of backward countries that have suffered, or are suffering, imperialist oppression. They feel that they should also be able to do what the Chinese have done.’
A similar strategy had been put forward in Latin America by Peruvian Marxist, José Carlos Mariátegui as early as 1928. He argued that due to its backward nature, the nations in Latin America had a weak, small and dependent bourgeoisie, subordinated to the landed oligarchy and imperialism, therefore, unable and unwilling to undertake the carrying out of the national democratic tasks to modernise society to fully develop capitalism. Thus, the only way to carry through the national democratic tasks was by a socialist revolution led by the proletariat enjoying hegemony over the majority peasantry with land reform as the sine qua non condition of its success.
Mariátegui posited that the peasantry could play a revolutionary role based on its traditions of primitive agrarian communalism. For him, proletarian leadership meant a Marxist party to lead the revolutionised peasantry and the working class to carry out a socialist revolution to accomplish the national democratic tasks (especially land reform) and move simultaneously to the setting up a proletarian state.
In his introduction to the Selected Works of José Carlos Mariátegui, published by Iskra Books, editor and translator Christian Noakes writes:
Considered by many to be the father of Latin American Communism, he is celebrated for being the first person to utilise Marxist methods of analysis in order to better understand concrete reality in Peru and for carving a path to revolution based off of these particular historical conditions. As such, he was one of the first Latin American socialists to acknowledge the revolutionary potential of the peasantry and Indigenous peoples… His influence on revolutionaries in Nicaragua and Cuba has been particularly pronounced.
Xi Jinping goes on to state that: “Peru is one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. For over 50 years, our bilateral relations have been progressing steadily… It is also among the first in Latin America to participate in cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China has been Peru’s largest trading partner and largest export market for 10 consecutive years. Last year, Peru’s exports to China accounted for 36 percent of its total exports.” (China and Peru established diplomatic relations on November 2, 1971, during the anti-imperialist and progressive presidency of Juan Velasco Alvarado.)
As a major BRI project, Xi’s visit also saw the inauguration ceremony of Chancay Port: “This is not only an important project under Belt and Road cooperation, but also the first smart port in South America. The first phase of the project, when completed, will reduce the sea shipping time from Peru to China to 23 days, thus cutting logistics costs by at least 20 percent. It is expected to generate US$ 4.5 billion in yearly revenues for Peru and create over 8,000 direct jobs… The port’s development plan also includes establishing animal rescue services to fulfil its social responsibility for the rescue and protection of penguins, seals, and birds and to improve the environment of wetlands, beaches, and habitats.”
Reporting on this development, the Xinhua News Agency wrote:
“While Chinese investments in Latin America have largely been welcomed by local governments and communities, they are often smeared by the West as being ‘neo-colonial.’ The Chancay Port project is no exception.
“‘The (Chancay Port) project was offered to many Western countries, including the United States,’ said Juan Carlos Capunay, former Peruvian ambassador to China. ‘If they are worried about the so-called Chinese influence, the answer is simple: invest in Latin America. But they do not invest,’ said Capunay, noting that Latin America cannot wait indefinitely for the West to decide to engage economically. ‘We need to develop, and China is open to work with us,’ he said.
“Describing Peru as ‘one of the main enthusiastic proponents of the BRI,’ Capunay said that China does not impose conditions or political systems on its partners. ‘Each country chooses its own priorities. That is why so many countries feel comfortable with the BRI,’ he said.
“Capunay contrasted this with Western investments, which, he argued, are dictated by terms set by the West. ‘They (the West) decide when, how, and where to invest, and they set the priorities. It is not an equal relationship,’ he said. With China, however, ‘there is an equal relationship. That is why there are more and more people interested in getting in business with China.’”
The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency.
Full Text of Chinese president’s signed article in Peruvian media
LIMA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping published a signed article in Peruvian media outlet El Peruano on Thursday under the title “China-Peru Friendship: Setting Sail Toward an Even Brighter Future” ahead of his state visit to Peru, where he will also attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
Following is an English version of the full text of the article:
China-Peru Friendship: Setting Sail Toward an Even Brighter Future
Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China
Early summer in the Southern Hemisphere is a season brimming with vitality and hope. At the invitation of President Dina Boluarte, I will soon pay a state visit to the Republic of Peru and attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
This is my second visit to Peru, a “neighbor” of China across the Pacific Ocean, since I took office as President of the People’s Republic of China. Peru is home to ancient civilizations such as Caral, Chavín, Chimú, and Inca. Peruvians endearingly refer to the Chinese people as paisano. Peru’s Congress has recently declared every February 1 as the Peru-China Fraternity Day. Chinese restaurants in Peru are called chifa, which is similar to the Chinese word chifan, meaning dining. Every time I came here, I was overwhelmed by the friendly sentiments of the Peruvian people toward the Chinese people.
This bond of friendship and affection is rooted in the wisdom of our ancient civilizations. The Chinese civilization is the only one in the world that has continued uninterrupted for more than 5,000 years. The maritime civilization represented by Caral and the continental civilization represented by Inca are a testament to the time-honored history, profound richness, and tremendous diversity of the Peruvian civilization. It is widely believed in the archeology communities of China and other countries that the Chinese civilization and the civilizations of the Americas were in fact created by descendants of the same ancestors at different periods and different locations. Through the wisdom of our civilizations, our minds find common ground and our hearts resonate. The Chinese people always regard “sincerity as a fundamental principle” and “benevolence as an essential virtue.” The Incas believe in the rules of “Do not steal, do not lie, and do not be lazy.” Peruvian thinker José Carlos Mariátegui once said, “Spiritually and materially, China is closer to us than Europe. The psychology of our people is more Asian than Western.” This is the “code of civilization” that explains the inseparable bond between immigrants of Chinese origin and the local people, forged through seamless integration and familial ties over the past 175 years. A documentary titled From the Great Wall to Machu Picchu will soon premiere in Peru under the auspices of the broadcasting and television authorities of the two countries. Also to be screened in Peru are a number of popular Chinese film and television productions including 3 Body Problem. I believe that they will help our Peruvian friends know more about China.
This bond of friendship and affection is a legacy that shines brightly across the ages through our respective histories. Many told me that Chinese and Peruvian peoples would feel an instant warmth upon their first encounters and would have a déjà vu when appreciating each other’s ancient artifacts. For example, the gold masks of the Incas unearthed in Peru are strikingly similar to the gold masks uncovered at an archeological site at Sanxingdui in China’s Sichuan Province. The Intihuatana stone on an altar in the ancient city of Machu Picchu, which the Incas used to mark the seasons and compose calendars according to changes of solar shadows, was in fact based on the same principle that inspired the creation of sundials in ancient China. The people of the ancient Shu kingdom in what is now China’s Sichuan Province expressed reverence for the sun and the sun god through the image of a soaring sunbird. The Inca civilization expressed its sun worship the same way. The longing for brightness was valued in both of our cultures. Last year, the “Journey Through Civilization” exhibition arrived in Peru as part of its world tour. “The Inca Sky Road South American Continental Andean Culture Exhibition” and the “Inca and Their Tawantinsuyo: The Land of Four Quarters” were on display in China. These events are an immediate hit among our peoples. An exhibition of “Great Ancient Civilizations: China and the Tawantinsuyo in Peru” is now jointly held by the two countries in Peru. You are most welcome to visit the exhibition to see the remarkable commonality and connections between our splendid civilizations.
The bond of our friendship and affection has become stronger through China-Peru win-win cooperation. Peru is one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. For over 50 years, our bilateral relations have been progressing steadily. Especially since the elevation of our relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013, our ties have grown stronger and our practical cooperation fruitful, bringing tangible benefits to our peoples. In fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, China sent a medical expert team to Peru. We also provided vaccines and other medical supplies to the best of our ability. We have proven through concrete actions that China is a trustworthy friend that Peru can rely on in crucial moments. Peru is the first Latin American country to sign a package FTA with China. It is also among the first in Latin America to participate in cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. China has been Peru’s largest trading partner and largest export market for 10 consecutive years. Last year, Peru’s exports to China accounted for 36 percent of its total exports. Chinese businesses have an investment stock of about US$ 30 billion in Peru. The Las Bambas copper mine, a project with investment from Chinese enterprises, contributes to about 1 percent of Peru’s GDP, creating tens of thousands of job opportunities. The Saúl Garrido Rosillo Hospital in Tumbes, a project undertaken by a Chinese enterprise, will serve over 100,000 local residents. The water project in the three districts of Lima will enable more than 400,000 people to access clean water and sanitation services.
As an ancient Chinese saying goes, “Bringing benefit to the people is the fundamental principle of governance.” There is also a Peruvian saying, “The voice of the people is the voice of God.” Both China and Peru are striving for a better life for the people. We must build on our traditional friendship to expand and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation across the board, and make it more responsive to the requirements of the new era. The third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in July made systemic plans for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. This means new opportunities for Peru and the world, and promises a bright future for China-Peru mutually beneficial cooperation.
During my upcoming visit, President Boluarte and I will attend via video the inauguration ceremony of Chancay Port. This is not only an important project under Belt and Road cooperation, but also the first smart port in South America. The first phase of the project, when completed, will reduce the sea shipping time from Peru to China to 23 days, thus cutting logistics costs by at least 20 percent. It is expected to generate US$ 4.5 billion in yearly revenues for Peru and create over 8,000 direct jobs. The completion of Chancay Port will enable Peru to put in place a multi-dimensional, diverse and efficient network of connectivity spanning from coast to inland, from Peru to Latin America and further on to the Caribbean. It will also help build an Inca Trail of the New Era with Chancay Port as its starting point, thus boosting the overall development and integration of the region. The port’s development plan also includes establishing animal rescue services to fulfill its social responsibility for the rescue and protection of penguins, seals, and birds and to improve the environment of wetlands, beaches, and habitats. It is thus very important that we work together to ensure the success of Chancay Port from construction through operation, so that the route from Chancay to Shanghai will lead China, Peru and Latin America to common development and prosperity. China is also ready to launch in Peru more “small and beautiful” livelihood cooperation projects, open more Luban Workshops and centers for Chinese language learning, and strengthen cooperation on vocational education. We will encourage Chinese companies to create more jobs and fulfill their social responsibilities in Peru, making our paisano friendship more tangible and beneficial.
Our two countries should embrace the responsibility of our times concerning mutual learning among civilizations. We should strengthen exchange and cooperation in culture, arts, education, scientific research, tourism, youth, cultural heritage protection, archeology and other areas. We should take more measures to facilitate personnel exchanges to garner greater public support for our relations. We should enhance cooperation under the framework of the Ancient Civilizations Forum. We should explore the establishment of a global network for dialogue and cooperation among civilizations, and support their exchanges and mutual learning. We should ensure that civilizations, diverse in many ways, complement each other and shine brightly together, just like the multicolored pools of China’s Jiuzhaigou and Peru’s Salt Terraces of Maras, thus making greater contributions to the progress of human civilization.
This will be the third time that APEC economic leaders meet in Peru after the country successfully hosted the meetings of 2008 and 2016. The themes of the three meetings, from “A New Commitment to Asia-Pacific Development” to “Quality Growth and Human Development,” and on to this year’s “Empower, Include, Grow,” attest to Peru’s firm resolve to promote an open Asia-Pacific economy and world economic growth. They also represent a strong “Lima Voice” for openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation. China firmly supports Peru’s presidency of APEC and will work closely with Peru to ensure a successful and productive meeting, enhance Asia-Pacific cooperation with a “Lima Imprint,” and make new contributions to building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.
The world is undergoing faster transformation unseen in a century. Humanity has again come to a crossroads in history. To fully appreciate the grandeur of the Nazca Lines, we must view them from a height because at the ground level, their true splendor remains hidden from view.
To quote a Chinese poem to the same effect, “Fear not the clouds that obscure your view, for you stand atop the highest summit.” China is ready to join Peru in embracing a broader vision and grasping the underlying trends of our times from a long historical perspective to champion true multilateralism, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and build together a community with a shared future for mankind.
As our friends in Latin America often say, without courage, one will never conquer the mountains or cross the sea. On a new historical juncture, China is ready to work hand in hand with our Peruvian friends with one heart and with the same goal and steer the ship of our friendship toward an even brighter future.
Xi calls for upgrading practical cooperation between China, Peru
LIMA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) — China and Peru should improve and upgrade practical cooperation and continuously elevate their comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights to better benefit the two peoples, said Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday.
During talks with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, Xi noted that it is his third visit to Peru and the third time in one year that he had met with Boluarte, adding that many Peruvians gathered along the roadsides and waved their hands to greet him, making him feel the friendly sentiments of the Peruvian people towards the Chinese people.
China and Peru, both ancient civilizations, are endowed with wisdom and broad vision from their profound historical legacies, allowing them to clearly see the development direction of history, align with the trends of the times, and always adhere to equality, mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual learning, making China-Peru ties a model of solidarity and cooperation among countries of different sizes, systems, and cultures, he said.
Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations 53 years ago, especially since his first state visit to the Latin American country in 2016, Xi noted that trade and investment cooperation between the two sides has grown rapidly under joint efforts, bringing tangible benefits to both peoples. The two sides should sum up experience, improve and upgrade practical cooperation and elevate the China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights, so as to better benefit the two peoples, he said.
Xi called on the two sides to align their development strategies, dig deeper cooperation potential, create a new pattern of practical cooperation, strengthen trade and investment in parallel as “two wheels” driving both countries forward, advance traditional and emerging industries in parallel as “two wings” propelling them upward, and promote the integration of industrial and supply chains.
China is willing to further expand the import of high-quality specialty agricultural products from Peru, encourage competent Chinese enterprises to invest in Peru, and make due contributions to local development, he added.
Both sides should enhance cooperation in traditional areas such as minerals and energy, infrastructure, and transportation and communications, while also expanding cooperation in emerging sectors like digital economy, artificial intelligence, green shipping, electric vehicles, and the photovoltaic industry, he said, adding China stands ready to encourage Chinese enterprises to participate in Peru’s infrastructure construction, promoting “hard connectivity” through infrastructure and “soft connectivity” through smart customs.
Chinese enterprises have overcome difficulties and completed the first phase of the Chancay Port project, fully demonstrating China’s determination to engage in long-term strategic cooperation with Peru, Xi said, stressing China’s willingness to work with Peru to fully leverage the location advantage of the Chancay Port, build a new land-sea corridor between China and Latin America with Chancay Port as a starting point, explore ways to establish a comprehensive, diversified, and efficient connectivity architecture that extends from coastal areas to inland areas, and from Peru to other Latin American countries, so as to promote the overall development and integration of Latin America and the Caribbean region.
He also mentioned that China supports the establishment of a sister-city relationship between the Chinese city of Suzhou and Chancay, is willing to exchange experience on industrial park construction with Peru, expand cooperation with Peru in such areas as cross-border services trade and e-commerce, and leverage cluster effects and synergies to generate more practical results to strengthen confidence in the long-term friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides.
China is also willing to establish local Luban Workshops and Chinese Language workshops in line with Peru’s development needs and carry out vocational education cooperation to provide localized talents as well as intellectual and technical support for Peru, he said.
Xi stressed that the two sides should strengthen the exchange of governance experience, enhance strategic mutual trust, firmly support each other’s core interests and major concerns, and deepen cooperation in such areas as combating corruption and illegal fishing.
He urged the two sides to shoulder the responsibility of the times of mutual learning among civilizations, advocate strengthening international dialogue among civilizations, and explore the establishment of a global network for dialogue and cooperation among civilizations.
The two sides should also strengthen the synergy of cultural policies and deepen exchanges and cooperation in culture, art, education and cultural heritage protection, he said, adding that China is willing to increase the number of scholarships for Peru, and raising hopes that young people of the two countries get to know each other and carry forward China-Peru friendship from generation to generation.
Noting that the Asia-Pacific economies are deeply integrated, Xi said that it serves the common interests of the Asia-Pacific family and the Global South to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, as well as maintain regional stability and prosperity.
Both China and Peru advocate multilateralism and oppose protectionism, he said, adding that China fully supports the work of Peru as the host of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, and is ready to work with all parties to ensure the success of the meeting and promote the building of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.
Xi said China is also willing to continue to strengthen communication and coordination with Peru under the framework of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum and make positive contributions to the development of the relationship between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries.
Boluarte, for her part, warmly welcomed Xi’s visit. Noting that Peru and China are two ancient civilizations, she said that a large number of overseas Chinese have made positive contributions to Peru’s national construction in history, and the two peoples enjoy profound friendship and are friendly brothers and friends.
China has long been Peru’s most important trading partner, and cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results especially since the two sides carried out Belt and Road cooperation, which fully demonstrates the firm commitment of the two countries to pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation and common development, she noted.
During Xi’s visit, the two sides signed a number of key cooperation agreements, including a protocol on upgrading the bilateral free trade agreement, which will effectively promote further development of bilateral economic and trade relations as well as cooperation in various fields, Boluarte said.
In particular, the opening of the Chancay Port makes “from Chancay to Shanghai” a reality and becomes an important bridge between Latin America and Asia as well as a key engine for Peru’s economic growth, which will strongly promote more efficient and convenient connectivity and trade between Peru and other Latin American countries, as well as China and even Asia at large, and push for sustainable development of the two countries and other regional countries, Boluarte said.
The Peruvian side welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Peru and participate in cooperation projects in such crucial areas as infrastructure, resources and energy, and transportation, she added.
Boluarte reiterated Peru’s firm adherence to the one-China principle, saying that Peru is willing to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation with China, and strengthen their youth and personnel exchanges.
The Peruvian president thanked China for its important and valuable support for Peru’s hosting of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Peru adheres to multilateralism and looks forward to strengthening communication and coordination with China within APEC and other frameworks, so as to contribute to long-term peace, stability, development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, she said.
Boluarte noted that Xi’s visit will surely become an important milestone in bilateral relations, open up a new chapter in the comprehensive strategic partnership between Peru and China, enable the two peoples to jointly build and enjoy a lasting and more prosperous future, and promote the building of a community with a shared future between the two countries.
After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a plan for Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries and the protocol on upgrading the bilateral free trade agreement, as well as the exchange of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in economy and trade, industrial investment, industrial parks, education and green development. The two sides also issued a joint statement on deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Xi attended a welcome banquet hosted by Boluarte in the evening.
Cai Qi, Wang Yi and other Chinese officials took part in the events.
Chinese, Peruvian leaders inaugurate new megaport, boosting Latin America’s trade links
LIMA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) — Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday inaugurated with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte a megaport, marking a milestone in China-Peru cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
As a flagship BRI project, the Chancay Port is set to enhance trade efficiency between Peru and Asia, cutting shipping time to China to 23 days and reducing logistics costs by at least 20 percent.
Situated approximately 80 km north of the capital Lima on the Pacific coast and directly connected to the Pan-American Highway, a network of roads stretching across the Americas, the deepwater port is also poised to become a pivotal logistics hub between Latin America and Asia.
NEW TRADE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LATIN AMERICA
For Peruvian Transport and Communications Minister Raul Perez-Reyes, the vision for Peru is ambitious: “to become the Singapore of Latin America.”
Located at the center of the Pacific coast of South America, Peru has long served as a bridge for trade across the Pacific, linking South America with Asia, particularly China.
With its Port of Callao already among the most significant in the region, Peru now sees the Chancay Port as a transformative addition that will enhance its position as a global trading hub.
With a draft depth of 16 to 18 meters, the new port is expected to handle over 1 million TEUs annually.
The TEU, or the twenty-foot equivalent unit, is a general unit of cargo capacity, based on the volume of a 20-foot-long (6.1 m) standard-sized container.
The impact on trade efficiency is expected to be profound. With the Chancay Port, “we will have direct routes to Asia, especially to China, which will reduce shipping times by 10, 15, even 20 days, depending on the route,” Perez-Reyes recently told reporters at Chancay. Currently, shipping between Peru and Asia can take up to 40 days.
This is particularly significant for Peru as an agricultural export country. “For example, it used to take 34 days for Peruvian mangoes to reach China, by which time they were already very ripe,” Peruvian Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Angel Manuel Manero told Xinhua.
“Shorter shipping times will help maintain their freshness,” he said.
Peruvian officials and experts see the Chancay Port as a step toward redefining South America’s role in global trade, making it easier for Peru and neighboring countries to export goods across the Pacific.
This new port will encourage trade between Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and other Latin American countries with Asian countries including China, said President of the Congress of Peru Eduardo Salhuana, adding that it promises economic growth for Latin America’s agriculture, mining, and manufacturing industries.
The Brazilian government has already signaled a keen interest in the Chancay Port, viewing it as a vital link to Asian markets.
In a March meeting with Peruvian officials, Joao Villaverde, Brazil’s secretary for institutional coordination at the Ministry of Planning, pointed to the importance of the port. “As we get closer to the Pacific (through the Chancay Port), we also get closer to Asia and China in particular,” Villaverde said.
Since 2009, China has been Brazil’s largest trading partner, and data from China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has shown that Brazil continued to be China’s largest source of agricultural imports in 2023.
“But Brazil has to go all the way and down through the Atlantic,” said Carlos Aquino, director of the Center for Asian Studies at Peru’s National University of San Marcos.
Through the Chancay Port, Latin American countries, including Peru and Brazil, will be able to sell more goods to China, Aquino said.
FINDING AN EQUAL PARTNER IN CHINA
In Spanish, Chancay and Shanghai have similar pronunciations. With the Chancay Port project advancing in recent years, local media have embraced the phrase “from Chancay to Shanghai” to capture the vision of a new land-sea corridor linking Latin America to China.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Chancay Port via video link with his Peruvian counterpart, Xi noted that this connection means more than just the BRI taking root in Peru.
From Chancay to Shanghai, we are witnessing the birth of a new Asia-Latin America land-sea corridor, Xi said.
The Chancay Port will strongly consolidate Peru’s position as a gateway that connects land and sea, Asia and Latin America, Xi said.
Xi called on both sides to adhere to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and empower the Pacific Rim economies, including China and Peru, to pursue common development.
Peruvian President Boluarte said at the inauguration ceremony that this Peru-China BRI project marks a crucial step toward Peru’s goal of becoming an international center for shipping and trade.
It will help Peru establish itself as a crucial gateway connecting Latin America and Asia, while also fostering integration and prosperity across Latin America, she said.
Projections indicate that the Chancay Port will generate 4.5 billion U.S. dollars in yearly revenues for Peru and create over 8,000 direct jobs.
Jorge Chain, general manager of the Peru-China Chamber of Commerce, said that China has long been Peru’s primary trading partner, describing the Chancay Port project as a prime example of “beneficial and mutually advantageous cooperation.”
While Chinese investments in Latin America have largely been welcomed by local governments and communities, they are often smeared by the West as being “neo-colonial.” The Chancay Port project is no exception.
“The (Chancay Port) project was offered to many Western countries, including the United States,” said Juan Carlos Capunay, former Peruvian ambassador to China.
“If they are worried about the so-called Chinese influence, the answer is simple: invest in Latin America. But they do not invest,” said Capunay, noting that Latin America cannot wait indefinitely for the West to decide to engage economically.
“We need to develop, and China is open to work with us,” he said.
Describing Peru as “one of the main enthusiastic proponents of the BRI,” Capunay said that China does not impose conditions or political systems on its partners.
“Each country chooses its own priorities. That is why so many countries feel comfortable with the BRI,” he said.
Capunay contrasted this with Western investments, which, he argued, are dictated by terms set by the West.
“They (the West) decide when, how, and where to invest, and they set the priorities. It is not an equal relationship,” he said. With China, however, “there is an equal relationship. That is why there are more and more people interested in getting in business with China.”
