Opening of Peru's Chancay Port to bring Asia, Latin America closer, more benefits

The Chancay Port is not only an epitome of the bilateral ties between China and Peru, but also a gateway to connect Asia with Latin America, benefiting the two sides of the Pacific Ocean and bringing them closer, said people from the media sector and business community.

With Chinese President Xi Jinping and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte witnessing the opening of the Chancay Port. "From Chancay to Shanghai," this expression has finally become a reality.

Xi paid a state visit to Peru and attended the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima from Nov. 13 to 17.

The opening of the milestone project, which was built by Chinese companies, is one of the most significant moves during Xi's visit in Peru.

Located some 80 kilometers north of the capital Lima, the Chancay Port was anticipated by Peru for decades. The lack of mega ports in the past brought limits to the trade between Asia and Latin America — transit time could cost months. But the Chancay Port reduces transit time between China and Peru to only 23 days. The construction of the first phase of the project is poised to generate over 8,000 jobs and 4.5 billion U.S. dollars in annual revenue for Peru.

"Our people now have possibilities to sell our products in the Asia-Pacific. This is amazing because we are able to send beautiful things -- coffee, cocao, avocados -- a lot of stuff that I think you'll like it," said Cynthia Malpartida, journalist of TV Peru.

People from the business community said that Chancay Port increases the exchange of goods, facilitating the trade between APEC economies.

"It's not efficient that empty containers are coming to Peru. The opening of the Chancay Port will facilitate the exchange of goods from both sides. The products from the two continents can supplement each other's demands," said Sun Xiao, secretary general of the China Chamber of International Commerce.

"Chancay will be an open door for our commerce to the Asia Pacific region, not only China. We have to remember that APEC, there are 21 economies, not only Peru, not only China," said Jose Tam Perez, president of the Peruvian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

"Chancay Port is going to change everything in South America. So, we are in the best position to be the beneficiary of this increase in all commerce," said Felipe James Callao, president of the National Society of Industries in Peru.

Opening of Peru's Chancay Port to bring Asia, Latin America closer, more benefits

The United States and Israel have committed the gravest crimes against humanity in Iran over a period of more than 40 days, said Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday.

Araghchi made the remark in a meeting with Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), who led a delegation to visit Tehran on the day.

Araghchi said at the meeting that the military aggression against Iran by the United States and Israel violates the principles of the UN Charter.

The crimes committed by the U.S. and Israel against the Iranian people - particularly attacks on the country's educational facilities, scientific research centers, historical and cultural sites, hospitals, critical productive infrastructure and residential areas - constitute grave breaches of international humanitarian law, he said.

These include attacks on an elementary school in Minab in southern Iran, massacre of Iranian children, and the assassination of Iranian leaders, said Araghchi.

Over a period of more than 40 days, the U.S. and Israel have committed the gravest crimes against humanity, he said.

Araghchi called on the international community and relevant international institutions to unequivocally and resolutely condemn the war crimes committed by the U.S. and Israel, and to hand over those responsible for trial and punishment by their home states and international tribunals.

He said that Iran expects the ICRC, other humanitarian organizations and governments of countries around the world to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions.

Spoljaric expressed deep regret at the meeting over the casualties among Iranian civilians in the conflict and the attacks by the U. S. and Israel on Iranian civilian targets, especially schools, hospitals and residential areas.

She emphasized the necessity to protect civilians and critical infrastructure and uphold international humanitarian rights in armed conflicts.

Spoljaric said that the recent threats by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, including those to Iranian civilian infrastructure, can be regarded as war crimes.

US, Israel commit gravest crimes against humanity in Iran: Araghchi