Hu arrives in Peru for state visit, APEC meeting

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-20 06:43

LIMA -- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Lima on Wednesday for a state visit to Peru and the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for November 22-23 in the Peruvian capital.

Hu, who flew in from Havana after visiting Cuba, will meet his Peruvian counterpart Alan Garcia on deepening the bilateral partnership of comprehensive cooperation and address Peru's congress, Chinese diplomats here said.

Since China and Peru established diplomatic ties 37 years ago, the two countries have developed healthy and stable relations based on mutual respect, equality and friendship.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) and Peru's President Alan Garcia shake hands at the government palace in Lima, November 19, 2008. Hu Jintao was in Peru to attend the Asia-Pacific Cooperation (APEC) summit. [Agencies]

China and Peru formed a partnership of comprehensive cooperation in 2005. They have exchanged frequent high-level visits, expanded cooperation in various sectors and coordinated in dealing with international or regional affairs.

In March this year, President Garcia visited China. The two sides agreed to push forward the bilateral partnership and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation.

Peru is one of China's major trading partners in Latin America, with two-way trade volume totaling $6 billion in 2007.

In Lima, the Chinese president will take part in the Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, scheduled for November 22-23, which will focus on the world financial crisis, support for the Doha round of trade talks, food and energy security, and regional economic integration.

Hu will also meet with leaders of several APEC member economies on the sidelines of the meeting.

APEC, which was established in 1989 and has 21 members, is the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.