The secret cooperation has opened a door full of opportunities

  The two heads of state will exchange in-depth views on bilateral relations, cooperation in key areas, etc., to promote the China Peru comprehensive strategic partnership to achieve more positive results and better benefit the two peoples.

Peru is one of the earliest Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, establish comprehensive strategic partnerships with China, and sign a package of free trade agreements with China. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China Peru cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results, and a series of practical cooperation projects have actively contributed to local economic development and improvement of people's livelihoods.

Strengthening economic and trade exchanges and sharing development opportunities

In the blueberry farm of Gambo Xian Company in Trujillo, about 500 kilometers away from the Peruvian capital Lima, there is a busy harvest scene. Since entering the Chinese market in 2009, Gan Boxian has continuously increased the variety and quantity of products exported to China. Products such as blueberries, avocados, grapes, etc. have become increasingly popular among Chinese consumers.

In April 2009, China and Peru signed a free trade agreement, which officially came into effect in 2010 and became a driving force for bilateral trade growth. In June of this year, China and Peru announced the substantial completion of negotiations to upgrade their free trade agreement. Thanks to the free trade agreement, non-traditional products from Peru have begun to enter thousands of households in China. Peru has become the largest supplier of blueberries and avocados to China, and products such as quinoa, grapes, maca, and alpaca wool are widely popular in China. It is reported that China and Peru are fully negotiating on the export of high-quality products such as Peruvian frozen fruits to China, and have made positive progress.

The Peru China Free Trade Agreement has provided an important driving force for the export of Peruvian agricultural products to the Chinese market. By reducing trade barriers and relaxing market access, the free trade agreement has created new opportunities for Peruvian producers and promoted the development of Peruvian agriculture, "said Luis Banant, General Manager of Gambo Xian (China) Company. In recent years, China has become the fastest-growing and most promising market for the company. In order to further expand exports to China, the company established an office in Shanghai in 2017. At present, the company's product sales network has covered the vast majority of regions in China.

The economic complementarity between Peru and China is strong. With the joint efforts of both sides, China has become Peru's largest trading partner for 10 consecutive years, and Peru is China's second largest investment destination in Latin America. In 2023, the bilateral trade volume reached 37.691 billion US dollars. According to secret recipe statistics, Peru's exports to China have increased by 325.9% in the past 14 years, with an average annual growth rate of 13.2%.

Theresa Mera, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru, said that the growing market demand in China has driven the vigorous development of Peru's export industry. The signing of the free trade agreement has greatly improved the level of trade between Peru and China. Since the agreement came into effect, Peru's non-traditional trade exports to China have increased by 227%, making it the second largest fruit supplier to China in Latin America.

The economic and trade exchanges between China and Peru have brought new opportunities to an increasing number of Peruvian small and medium-sized enterprises. The Peruvian alpaca wool product brand "Warm Camel" has been appearing at the CIIE for 7 consecutive years and has been loved by Chinese consumers. The "Warm Camel" brand has now settled in more than 30 shopping malls in China, developed e-commerce sales platforms, and achieved annual sales of over 30000 units.

Peruvian Exporters Association President Julio Perez stated that since 2010, China's ranking in Peru's non-traditional product export market has risen from ninth to fifth, demonstrating the enormous potential for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. The association will promote the export of more high-quality Peruvian products to China, achieving mutual benefit and win-win results.

Constructing infrastructure to promote the improvement of people's livelihoods

About 80 kilometers north of Lima, at the site of the Qiankai Port project jointly constructed by China Harbour Engineering Group and China Communications Fourth Navigation Bureau, neatly arranged blue shore bridges are busy operating, and more than 20 unmanned transport vehicles are orderly transporting containers to the port yard.

Since the start of construction in 2021, "from Qiankai to Shanghai" has become a popular phrase in Peru, and as the project is about to be completed, this phrase is transforming from a vision to a reality. The new land sea corridor between China and Latin America will significantly shorten sea transportation time. Qiankai Port will also be connected to the Pan American Highway through a tunnel, providing direct access to Lima, greatly enhancing trade facilitation and regional connectivity.

Jose Arista, the Minister of Economy and Finance of Peru, stated that the Qiankai Port, as a landmark project of Peru China cooperation, will greatly reduce logistics and transportation costs, enhance the competitiveness of Peruvian products, explore market opportunities, and promote Peru to become a regional logistics hub. The cooperation space between Peru and China is vast, and the Peruvian government is willing to continue to work hard to promote pragmatic cooperation between the two sides in more fields, "said Arista.

Under the framework of high-quality joint construction of the "the Belt and Road", a number of Chinese engineering construction enterprises have actively participated in Peru's road, bridge, airport, port, school, hospital and water projects, making outstanding contributions to the country's infrastructure construction and bringing tangible benefits to the Peruvian people.

Entering the Colombian Republic School located in the La Libertad Region of Peru, students concentrate on listening in spacious, bright, and well-equipped classrooms, while young children play and frolic in the amusement park. It's hard to imagine that a few years ago, this place was completely different. In 2017, the local area suffered from severe flood disasters, with schools experiencing severe water seepage, large walls cracking, and old school buildings posing serious safety hazards.

To solve this problem, the reconstruction work of the school was funded by the National Infrastructure Development Agency of Peru and undertaken by China Electric Power Construction Corporation Hydroelectric 11th Bureau. The new school building was officially delivered in August this year, covering an area of approximately 4500 square meters with a construction area of 4000 square meters. It is divided into two main areas: kindergarten and primary school, and can accommodate over 1000 students. The newly renovated school has classrooms, administrative offices, libraries, computer rooms, technology rooms, as well as basketball courts, kitchens, and dining halls.

The new school building has a reasonable design and complete facilities, creating a safe and modern learning environment for students. Both students and parents love it. Principal Yuli Aragorn is very grateful for the participation of Chinese enterprises in the school reconstruction work, believing that it not only benefits students but also promotes the development of local education. She looks forward to the continued deepening of cooperation between Peru and China, bringing us more benefits.

Explore cooperation areas and promote green transformation

On the streets of Lima, the green painted electric vehicle fleet of China Three Gorges Corporation's Yangtze Power Peru Lutes Company shuttles back and forth, repairing lines, troubleshooting, and providing guarantees for stable urban power transmission.

In 2020, Yangtze Power completed the acquisition of Peru's largest power company, Lutz, introducing Chinese equipment and technology, significantly improving the stability and efficiency of Peru's power system, serving over 1.33 million users. In recent years, from the Santa Teresa hydroelectric power station to the Rapatici ó n photovoltaic power station, and then to the Marcona wind power station, Yangtze River Power has enriched its power sources by investing in hydroelectric, photovoltaic, and wind power projects, contributing to Peru's reduction of carbon emissions.

Since 2023, the company has built Peru's largest electric vehicle fleet, including electric trucks, pickups, and sport utility vehicles. Nearly a hundred electric vehicles drive on Peru's roads every day, reducing over 62000 liters of diesel consumption and 182 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

In cooperation with Chinese companies, I have felt China's persistence and emphasis on green development goals, "said Mario Gonzalez, General Manager of Lutz Company." China's clean energy development is at the forefront of the world, and I hope that Peru and China will continue to expand cooperation in the field of green energy, providing more experience and technology for Peru to reduce carbon emissions and accelerate green transformation.

Peruvian Minister of Environment Juan Carlos Castro said that the cooperation between Peru and China in green environmental protection is of great significance. China not only builds ports and operates photovoltaic power plants in Peru, but also brings green technology. These actions will help Peru achieve sustainable development and contribute to addressing climate change.

The cooperation between Peru and China has opened a door full of opportunities, "said Del Campo, Vice President of the Peruvian Exporters Association." Peru China cooperation is crucial for Peru's development, and we look forward to deepening long-term cooperation with Chinese enterprises to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

(Lima, November 10th)

Layout Design: Cai Huawei