The striking resemblance between the gold masks of the ancient Incas and those unearthed at Sanxingdui in the Chinese mainland is more than a historical curiosity; it’s a testament to the enduring connections between China and Peru. These shared cultural threads were highlighted in a signed article by Chinese President Xi Jinping, published before his third visit to the South American nation.
Titled “China-Peru Friendship: Setting Sail Toward an Even Brighter Future” in the Peruvian newspaper El Peruano, President Xi illustrated the bond of friendship and affection that spans the ages. He noted the similarities in sun worship between the ancient Shu kingdom in what is now southwest China’s Sichuan Province and the Inca civilization, both expressing reverence through the image of a soaring sunbird.
Strengthening Strategic Ties
On Thursday, President Xi arrived in Lima for his third meeting with Peruvian counterpart Dina Boluarte within a year. The two leaders discussed ways to enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership between their countries, emphasizing equality, mutual respect, and shared development goals.
“China and Peru, both ancient civilizations, are endowed with wisdom and broad vision from their profound historical legacies,” President Xi said during talks with President Boluarte. “We should strengthen the exchange of governance experience and enhance strategic mutual trust.”
The leaders agreed to solidify support for each other’s core interests and key concerns, and to deepen cooperation in areas such as fighting corruption and promoting sustainable development. They also underscored the importance of multilateralism and opposed protectionism, with President Xi expressing full support for Peru as the host of the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
Economic Cooperation and the Chancay Port Project
A centerpiece of the discussions was the Chancay Port project, a significant investment expected to generate \$4.5 billion in annual revenue for Peru and create over 8,000 direct jobs. President Xi highlighted the project’s potential to become a vital bridge between Latin America and Asia, boosting trade and connectivity.
“The opening of the Chancay Port makes ‘from Chancay to Shanghai’ a reality,” President Boluarte remarked, emphasizing its role as a key engine for Peru’s economic growth. The project is set to enhance efficient and convenient trade not only between Peru and China but across the broader Latin American and Asian regions.
In tandem with the port project, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a protocol on upgrading their Free Trade Agreement (FTA), further cementing economic ties. Trade between China and Peru has been robust, with bilateral trade volume growing at an average annual rate of 14.6% from 2016 to 2023. In the first ten months of this year, trade reached approximately \$35 billion, marking a 16.8% year-on-year increase.
Cultural Exchanges and Mutual Understanding
Cultural ties were also a focal point of the visit. President Xi stressed the importance of people-to-people exchanges, advocating for strengthening international dialogue among civilizations and exploring the establishment of a global network for such cooperation.
“We are willing to increase the number of scholarships for Peru,” President Xi announced, expressing hopes that young people from both countries would get to know each other and carry forward the China-Peru friendship for generations to come. The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in culture, art, education, and cultural heritage protection.
China has established approximately 180 sister-city partnerships with 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting the significance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges in strengthening bilateral relations.
A Positive Outlook Among Peruvians
During President Xi’s visit, a survey conducted by CGTN, in collaboration with the New Era International Communication Research Institute and the Center for Advanced National Studies of Peru, revealed that Peruvians hold highly favorable views of China. Approximately 89.6% of respondents expressed a positive impression, and 97.7% viewed China as an important country. Notably, 94% of respondents expressed a strong desire to visit, work, or study in China, with this figure rising to 95.9% among young adults aged 18 to 24.
The survey reflected optimism about building a “Peruvian model” for China-Latin America relations and fostering high-level cooperation among Global South countries.
Looking Ahead
“China is ready to work with Peru to push the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a new stage for the betterment of the peoples of the two countries,” President Xi affirmed.
After their talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of a plan for Belt and Road cooperation and exchanged several bilateral cooperation documents covering areas such as economy and trade, industrial investment, education, and green development. The two sides also issued a joint statement on deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership.
As China and Peru continue to build upon their shared heritage and mutual interests, their partnership stands as a model of solidarity and cooperation among nations of different sizes, systems, and cultures, paving the way toward an even brighter future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
