Inauguration of China-backed Chancay Port demonstrates bright future of China-Peru cooperation

The upcoming inauguration of China-backed Chancay Port in Peru demonstrates a bright future of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the Latin American country.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte attended the inauguration ceremony of Chancay Port via video on Thursday local time.

The port is located in the Chancay Bay, about 80 kilometers north of Peru's capital Lima. It is a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative and the first smart port in South America. Once completed, it will become a new hub port in Latin America and a gateway port to the Pacific.

"'From Chancay to Shanghai' has become a catchphrase, demonstrating a bright future of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two nations. I believe it will substantially bring more sense of gain and happiness to people of the two countries," President Xi said when meeting with President Boluarte during her visit to Beijing in June.

The first phase of the port project will shorten the shipping time from Peru to China to 23 days, reducing logistics costs by more than 20 percent. It is expected to generate 4.5 billion U.S. dollars in annual revenue for Peru and directly create over 8,000 jobs.

The completion of the Chancay Port will enable Peru to put in place a multi-dimensional, diverse and efficient network of connectivity spanning from coast to inland, from Peru to Latin America and further on to the Caribbean, according to experts.

It will also help build an Inca Trail of the New Era with the Chancay Port as its starting point, thus boosting the overall development and integration of the region.

President Xi arrived in Peru's capital Lima earlier on Thursday to attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to the Latin American country.

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

Inauguration of China-backed Chancay Port demonstrates bright future of China-Peru cooperation

Inauguration of China-backed Chancay Port demonstrates bright future of China-Peru cooperation

Inauguration of China-backed Chancay Port demonstrates bright future of China-Peru cooperation

The hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship, MV Hondius, has now reached 12 confirmed cases, with three reported deaths, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday.

Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva, Tedros said the Netherlands had confirmed an additional case involving a crew member who disembarked in Tenerife, Spain, was repatriated to the Netherlands and has been isolating since then.

No deaths have been reported since May 2, when the outbreak was first reported to WHO, said Tedros.

He urged the affected countries to continue carefully monitoring all passengers and crew members for the remainder of the quarantine period.

More than 600 contacts continue to be followed in 30 countries, and a small number of high-risk contacts are still being located, according to the WHO chief.

He also thanked the countries cooperating in the international response and epidemiological investigation.

The cruise, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, departed from Argentina on April 1, carrying around 150 passengers and crew members from more than 20 countries.

The ship arrived at the Dutch port city of Rotterdam on Monday for disinfection, ending a voyage that had drawn the attention of international health authorities over hantavirus infections on board.

Hantavirus cases linked to cruise ship rise to 12 after crew member tests positive: WHO