Overseas Chinese hopes to become cultural messenger between China, Peru

A Chinese medical practitioner who has lived in Peru for over two decades said that he hopes to become a bridge for communication and thriving friendship between the two countries.

Pan Chengzun currently works in the fields of Chinese traditional medicine and media. In 1996, he became the first acupuncturist at the Hospital of EsSalud in Peru.

Through interactions with locals, Pan has found many points of cultural crossover between China and Peru and notes that the people of both nations share important values.

"During the more than 20 years I've live in Peru, I have participated in many activities between China and Peru. Those were part of my life. I feel proud for myself being the messenger between China and Peru because I love both countries. I feel grateful for doing my best and contributing to the relationship between two countries. I found many similarities between China's culture and Peruvian culture, For example, the sense of family and friendship. For most of the Peruvians, family values and friendship are one of the most important things in their life," he said.

Pan has dedicated himself to promoting friendly relations between the two countries, participating in cultural exchanges and taking pride in facilitating communication between Peru and China.

Peru was one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic ties and a comprehensive strategic partnership with China and is also the first Latin American country to sign a package of free trade agreements with China.

At present, China is Peru's largest trade partner, largest export market, and largest source of imported goods, while Peru is China's fourth largest trade partner in Latin America. In 2023, their bilateral trade volume reached 37.691 billion U.S. dollars, representing a year-on-year growth of 0.8 percent, according to official data.

"Peru and China have a strong economic complementarity, the rich natural resources of Peru come together with the generosity and experience of China, a very good base to exchange and support for both countries. Since 2013, China become the number one trading partner of Peru until now. We can see a very good relationship between China and Peru. I'm very sure this relationship will continue for many more years," said Pan.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima and pay a state visit to Peru from Nov 13 to 17 at the invitation of President of the Republic of Peru Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra.

APEC Peru 2024 will be the annual meeting of the leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, scheduled from Nov 10 to 16. The meeting in Lima will be the third time for Peru to host the meeting after 2008 and 2016.

Overseas Chinese hopes to become cultural messenger between China, Peru

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday that the issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan can only be resolved through dialogue and consultation.

The use of force would only complicate the situation and intensify the contradictions, which would be of no benefit to either side and threatens regional peace and stability, he said.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi at the latter's request.

Muttaqi thanked China for its active efforts in mediating the conflicts between Afghanistan and Pakistan, noting that the Afghan people, who have suffered greatly from war, cherish the opportunities for peace and development.

The Afghan foreign minister said his country wants to be a source of regional peace rather than unrest, reaffirming that its territory will not be used to attack neighboring countries.

Afghanistan does not wish to engage in military conflict with other countries, and looks forward to mutual trust and friendly coexistence with neighboring countries, he said.

The Afghan side believes that dialogue and consultation are the only way to resolve issues and looks forward to China, as a major country and a friendly neighbor, playing a greater role, he said.

For his part, Wang said that the more volatile the external environment becomes, the more countries in the region should strengthen unity and cooperation, overcome difficulties together, and forge a path of cooperative security and common security.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are inseparable brothers and neighbors that cannot be moved away from each other, he said.

China has always maintained an objective and impartial stance on the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Wang said.

The special envoy on Afghan affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry is shuttling between the two countries to mediate, he said, adding that it is hoped that both sides will keep calm and exercise restraint, have face-to-face exchanges at an early date, achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible, and resolve differences and contradictions through dialogue.

China is willing to continue to make active efforts to help achieve reconciliation and detente between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Wang said.

The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in Iran.

Wang reaffirmed China's principled position, stating that China is willing to work with the international community, including Afghanistan, to further play a constructive role in striving for peace.

Chinese FM calls for resolving issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan through dialogue, consultation