Xi arrives in Lima for APEC meeting, state visit to Peru

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Peru's capital Lima on Thursday to attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to the Latin American country at the invitation of Peruvian President Dina Boluarte.

When Xi arrived at the Callao Air Base in Lima, he was warmly welcomed by Peruvian Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen and other senior officials. A local student expressed warm welcome to Xi in Chinese. Guards of honor lined up on both sides of the red carpet to salute.

In a written statement upon his arrival, Xi said it gives him great pleasure to once again pay a state visit to the Republic of Peru and attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting at the invitation of President Dina Boluarte, adding that he feels very close to Peru as he again stepped onto this beautiful and rich land with a long history.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi extended his sincere greetings and best wishes to the government and people of Peru.

China and Peru enjoy a long history of friendship, which is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, Xi said, noting that as early as more than 400 years ago, the people of the two countries started friendly exchanges through the Maritime Silk Road and "the Manila Galleons," or "La Nao de China."

China and Peru established diplomatic ties 53 years ago, making Peru one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, he said.

In recent years, with the joint efforts of various sectors of the two countries, the development of China-Peru relations has continued deepening, and political mutual trust has been increasingly consolidated, Xi said, adding that the two countries have understood and supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

China has been Peru's largest trading partner and largest export market for 10 years in a row, and steady progress has been made on major cooperation projects in fields such as mining and infrastructure, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, he said.

Xi said that he will hold talks with President Boluarte to have an in-depth exchange of views on China-Peru relations, practical cooperation in various fields and international and regional issues of common concern, and will also attend the inauguration ceremony of the Chancay Port with President Boluarte.

Xi added that he looks forward to attending the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and working with all parties to ensure its success and make new contributions to building an open Asia-Pacific economy, promoting world economic growth, and jointly building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.

The 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held on Friday and Saturday in Lima.

Xi arrives in Lima for APEC meeting, state visit to Peru

Xi arrives in Lima for APEC meeting, state visit to Peru

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media