Chinese, Peruvian presidents discuss bilateral co-op

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-13 19:18

SINGAPORE: Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Peruvian counterpart Alan Garcia met in Singapore on Friday to discuss the further development of bilateral pragmatic cooperation.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting slated for Saturday and Sunday in Singapore.

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During the meeting, Hu said, in 2008, the heads of state of China and Peru paid visits to each other's country and reached consensus on deepening cooperation in all areas.

In the past year, Sino-Peruvian relations have witnessed rapid development in an all-round way, including increasing strategic mutual trust and frequent exchanges of high-level visit, he added.

Hu said the two countries have also deepened pragmatic cooperation, increased investment and signed a bilateral free trade agreement.

A Chinese Navy fleet will also pay a good-will visit to Peru next month, he added.

Last November, China and Peru concluded their talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) and upgraded bilateral ties to a strategic partnership during President Hu's visit to Peru.

The two countries signed the FTA in April this year.

Peru is one of China's major trading partners in Latin America. In 2008, bilateral trade increased by 24 percent year-on-year and totaled $7.5 billion.