Chancay-Shanghai shipping route boosts foreign trade between China, Latin America

The Chancay-Shanghai two-way shipping route has handled nearly 200,000 tonnes of import and export cargo valued at five billion yuan (about 707 million U.S. dollars) since it officially opened on Dec. 18 last year, boosting the foreign trade between China and Latin American countries, especially Peru.

The route was made possible after the opening of the Chancay Port in Peru on Nov. 14 last year. The port is a deep-water hub and South America's first smart and green port, as well as a flagship Belt and Road cooperation project between China and Peru.

Its opening has significantly shortened shipping voyages between the two countries and cut costs for traders.

"Since the operation of Chancay Port, importers like us have seen our cost being cut by 20 percent, and sea freight transit time has been shortened from about 30 days to 22 or 23 days." said a fruit import merchant in Shanghai.

Further hastening imports, customs in Shanghai have been running a 24-hour green channel and established a full-process supervision and service model to ensure fast customs clearance.

"We always keep track of cargo arrival information in a timely manner and provide 24-hour inspection services to enable a rapid cargo inspection," said Qiu Wenjun, a customs officer at Yangshan Port.

In the first nine months of this year, Peru's exports rose almost 20 percent year on year, with China, Peru's largest export destination, buying around 42 percent of the country's agriculture exports, including high-value produce like avocados and blueberries.

"Before the port opened, COSCO Shipping's share of refrigerated containers from Peru to China only accounted for about five to six percent of the Peruvian market at that time. After a year of operation, this figure has now risen significantly to 23 to 24 percent," said Chen Xiaochen, a senior business representative for Latin America shipping routes at China's COSCO Shipping.

Chancay-Shanghai shipping route boosts foreign trade between China, Latin America

Chancay-Shanghai shipping route boosts foreign trade between China, Latin America

The year 2026 marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Laos as well as the Year of China-Laos Friendship, presenting important opportunities for the development of bilateral relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, who is visiting China as special envoy of Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and president of Laos.

Wang welcomed Saleumxay to visit China, saying the visit fully reflects the high level of the China-Laos community with a shared future and will further enhance the strategic mutual trust between the two sides.

Wang called on both sides to strengthen inter-governmental institutional dialogues, enhance the quality and efficiency of China-Laos railway connectivity, jointly build an upgraded version of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, and deliver more tangible outcomes in advancing regional connectivity.

China will leverage its strengths to align development strategies with Laos, boost whole-industry-chain cooperation in minerals, electricity and other sectors, deepen human resources development, and support Laos in economic transformation and industrial growth, he said.

Saleumxay, also a member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee, said Laos is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, jointly hold successful celebration activities for the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and deepen cooperation in areas such as connectivity, energy and minerals.

Saleumxay expressed appreciation for China's stance and role in major international and regional affairs, saying Laos is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China.

China-Laos ties face important opportunities in 2026: Chinese FM