Xi calls for deeper China-Peru cooperation by building on past successful experience

China and Peru should jointly work toward upgrading bilateral cooperation by drawing on past successful experiences, said Chinese President Xi Jinping during his talks with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte in Lima on Thursday afternoon.

"Since the establishment of our diplomatic ties 53 years ago, bilateral relations between China and Peru have maintained sound development. Especially since my first state visit to Peru in 2016, through the joint efforts of both sides, our trade volume has grown by 1.6 times, the stock of investment by Chinese companies in Peru has doubled, and the China-Peru free trade agreement has been upgraded. All these have brought tangible benefits to our people," Xi said.

"Both sides should sum up the successful experience of China-Peru cooperation, further step up top-level design, strengthen the driving roles of trade and investment, advance the development of traditional and emerging industries in tandem, and boost the connectivity of our industrial and supply chains, so as to upgrade and improve the practical cooperation between China and Peru and between China and Latin America," he continued.

"China values its traditional friendship with Peru and is optimistic about the broad prospects of bilateral cooperation. We stand ready to work with Peru to push our comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level and bring more benefits to the people of our two countries," said Xi.

Xi arrived in the Peruvian capital earlier on Thursday to attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to the Latin American country at the invitation of Boluarte.

Xi calls for deeper China-Peru cooperation by building on past successful experience

Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong on Thursday urged the European Union (EU) to join hands with China in promoting the sound development of bilateral economic and trade ties.

Commenting on a possible trade agreement between the two sides following German delegations' recent visits to China at a press briefing in Beijing, He said China has always held an opening attitude toward trade ties with the EU.

"China and the EU are important economic and trade partners. Over the years, their cooperation has been built on a solid foundation, with strong growth momentum and deeply interwoven supply and industrial chains, forming a pattern of complementary strengths and mutual benefit. China has always maintained an open attitude toward bilateral trade arrangements with the EU and welcomes relevant proposals from European leaders," the spokesman said.

He underscored China's openness to deeper cooperation, but also cautioned that recent EU practices have posed challenges for Chinese enterprises.

"However, the EU has employed various trade tools including investigation to restrict Chinese enterprises over the recent years. We hope the EU will listen more to the voices of its member states and industries, abandon protectionist practices, and work with China in the same direction, replacing barriers with openness and cooperation, resolving frictions through dialogue and consultation, and jointly promoting the sound development of China-EU economic and trade relations," He said.

Chinese ministry of commerce urges EU to work with China for sound trade growth