As China prepares to host foreign ministers from 11 Pacific island nations this week, a Peruvian student's journey underscores the growing cultural and economic bridges between China and Latin America. Anna Paula Peralta Reyes, who studied at Jilin University, shared her enthusiasm for China's new visa-free policy for Peruvians, calling it a 'gateway to mutual understanding.'
The Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting, chaired by China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Xiamen, will focus on climate cooperation and sustainable development. Meanwhile, grassroots connections like Anna's highlight parallel opportunities for cross-cultural engagement.
'Living in China transformed how I see development,' said Anna, recalling her experiences exploring Shanghai's innovation hubs and Changchun's historical sites. 'When students and entrepreneurs can exchange ideas freely, it creates progress no policy document alone can achieve.'
Analysts note that China's visa facilitation measures align with its broader strategy to strengthen people-to-people ties across the Global South. Over 4,000 Peruvian students currently study in China, with bilateral trade reaching $36 billion in 2023.
