China treasures its friendship and cooperation with Peru and
regards it as a good friend and partner in Latin America, a senior
CPC official said in Lima Thursday.
Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the
Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) Central
Committee, arrived in Lima on Thursday afternoon for a visit to
Peru.
In a statement released at the airport, Li said he will meet
with Peruvian President Alan Garcia and other significant figures
during his visit. He expected to exchange views with them on issues
of common interest.
Peru is one of the first Latin American countries which
established diplomatic links with China.
Now, Peru has the largest overseas Chinese community in the
region.
China has become the second largest trade partner and No. 2
export market for Peru. Bilateral trade volume reached US$3.9
billion in 2006.
Peru has set up over 150 investment projects in China while
China invested several hundred million dollars in Peru, mainly in
mining, trade and textile sectors.
Peru is the last leg of Li's Latin America trip, which has taken
him to Mexico, Venezuela, Suriname and Ecuador.
After visiting Peru, Li will pay a visit to Samoa, an island
nation in the South Pacific.
(Xinhua News Agency March 30, 2007)
