Expectations run high in Peru, Brazil for President Xi's trips

Expectations are running high among Peruvian and Brazilian government officials, researchers and business leaders for Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming trips to the two South American countries.

President Xi is scheduled to attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in the Peruvian capital Lima, the 19th G20 Summit in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, and pay a state visit to Peru and Brazil, respectively, from Nov 13 to 21.

Luis Beltran Pantoja Calvo, mayor of the Municipality of Cusco in Peru, called President Xi's trip "a historic event" for his country.

"First of all, I believe that Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance at the APEC Leaders' Meeting and other activities is of historic importance. The visit by such an important state leader will help strengthen cooperation between our two countries in areas like infrastructure, tourism, and education. President Xi's visit is an opportunity for us to explore new collaborations in various fields, particularly science and technology. It will without any doubt contribute to the development of our country. I want to stress again that the Chinese president's visit is a historic event for our entire country," he said in a recent interview with China Central Television (CCTV).

Fernando Quiros, general director of Asia and Oceania for the Peruvian Foreign Ministry, said that China plays an important role in the Asia-Pacific region and that Peru values China as a major investor.

"There is no doubt that China plays an important role in Asia-Pacific affairs. It is the second-largest economy in the world, our largest trading partner and a major investor in Peru. Therefore, we pay close attention to and highly appreciate the various global initiatives proposed by China," he said.

Ronnie Lins, director of the China-Brazil Center for Research and Business, said President Xi's attendance at the G20 summit in Rio will push the world toward taking collective action to solve various pressing issues.

"President Xi Jinping's attendance at the G20 Rio de Janeiro summit is of great importance because China is the engine of global economic growth and many of the issues at the summit are related to economy. When we talk about issues like social inclusion and fighting poverty, concrete global action is needed. President Xi's attendance will help push the summit toward reaching concrete action plans," he said.

Former Brazilian Ambassador to China Marcos Caramuru de Paiva echoed Lins' view, saying that China plays an essential role in international affairs.

"The role of China is essential because China is a major player in the international reality, so we expect much of the leadership of China in making it clear that the developing countries in general, and China in particular, do have to play a major role in international decisions and in multilateral institutions," he said.

Gustavo Adrianzen Olaya, president of the Council of Ministers of Peru, highlighted the China-constructed Chancay Port project outside Lima as an example of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

"I would like to say that China-Peru relations are at their best in history with our two ancient peoples cooperating in various fields. A case in point would be the Chancay Port project which will be inaugurated very soon. It is a project that the China COSCO Shipping Corporation is working on here and one of the most important port investments in our country. This project, which is in its first-phase development, will become one of the most important ports on the coasts of the Pacific and create jobs for Peruvians, which is very important, because it will help boost our economy," he said.

Jose Ricardo Dos Santos Luz Junior, CEO of Brazil's Group of Corporate Leaders in China (LIDE China), mentioned various sectors that China and Brazil can cooperate and believed that President Xi's upcoming trip will be a "milestone" event for bilateral ties.

"There is a huge expectation that the trade between Brazil and China intensifies after this visit of President Xi Jinping, and also that we can increase even more the foreign direct investment, the Chinese foreign direct investment, not only in clean energy, which is basically we are talking about the green hydrogen, we're talking about wind power, solar power, also the new electric vehicles, infrastructure, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, drones, cloud computing, logistics, e-commerce, and other different segments which can be improved. So, in my honest opinion, the visit of President Xi Jinping to Brazil will be a paramount milestone in China-Brazil relationship," he told CCTV in an interview.

Expectations run high in Peru, Brazil for President Xi's trips

Expectations run high in Peru, Brazil for President Xi's trips

Expectations run high in Peru, Brazil for President Xi's trips

Expectations run high in Peru, Brazil for President Xi's trips

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.

During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.

China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.

Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.

China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.

On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.

Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.

Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.

On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.

China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation

China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation