Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, the capital of Peru, from to and paid a state visit to Peru. Peru is one of the earliest Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations with New China, to forge a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and to sign a comprehensive free trade agreement with China.

From blueberries and avocados becoming star products in the Chinese market, to the popularity of soft and adorable alpaca dolls in China; from the completion of the Machu Picchu highway tunnel project, to the construction of the Chancay Port project... Under the joint efforts of both sides, Sino-Peruvian economic and trade cooperation has yielded abundant fruits on the basis of mutual benefit and win-win, with a promising future ahead.

The economic and trade cooperation between China and Peru has yielded abundant fruits. China is Peru's largest global trading partner, largest export market, and largest import source. Peru is China's fourth-largest trading partner in Latin America. In a certain year, the bilateral trade volume between China and Peru was 20.3 billion U.S. dollars, with China's exports amounting to 5.1 billion U.S. dollars and imports 15.2 billion U.S. dollars. In the first few months of this year, China's import and export trade with Peru reached 22.7 billion yuan, an increase of 20.6% year-on-year, with bilateral trade continuing to grow rapidly and the trade scale constantly reaching new highs.

Chinese cars, mobile phones, computers, and household appliances are widely popular in Peru, while Peru is an important import source for China's copper ore and fishmeal for feed. Data shows that in the past year, Peru's exports to China grew by .%, with an annual growth rate of .%. Last year, Peru's exports to China accounted for % of Peru's total exports.

Agricultural products have particularly stood out. Currently, Peru is the largest supplier of blueberries and avocados to China. The sweet and crisp blueberries, as well as the soft and creamy avocados, are becoming increasingly well-known and favored by Chinese consumers. It is reported that China and Peru are in active negotiations regarding the export of high-quality Peruvian frozen fruits to China, with positive progress being made.

Peru is the world's largest exporter of blueberries, and China is its fastest-growing market for exports. In recent years, in response to the needs of Chinese customers, Peruvian blueberry farms have specifically developed and cultivated varieties with larger fruit size and sweet, crisp taste to supply the Chinese market. In a recent month, a batch of Peruvian blueberries arrived at the Tianjin Port in China, marking the first time that South American blueberries have landed at a northern Chinese port. This was made possible by the opening of the direct shipping route from Tianjin Port to West South America last month. Peruvian blueberries have become another South American fruit introduced through this route, earning the route the reputation of a "fruit express line."

The report released by the Peruvian Exporters Association recently states that China is one of the important destinations for Peruvian agricultural product exports. The annual export value of Peruvian fruits to China has increased by .%. Peru is the country with the largest number of alpacas in the world and also the largest producer of alpaca wool textiles. Through the CIIE platform, Peruvian alpaca wool dolls have gained popularity in the Chinese market, being sought after by many Chinese consumers, which has also led to the prosperity of Peruvian traditional artisans.

Since the implementation of the China-Peru Free Trade Agreement, it has benefited a large number of enterprises and commodities, enhancing the convenience and openness of trade between the two countries. By the end of 2020, both sides initiated negotiations to upgrade the China-Peru Free Trade Agreement, covering areas such as customs procedures and trade facilitation, services trade, investment, and e-commerce. On a certain date in 2021, China and Peru signed the upgraded protocol to the Free Trade Agreement. The signing of the protocol is conducive to further exploring the potential for bilateral trade and investment cooperation, creating a better business environment for enterprises of both countries, further protecting and promoting two-way investment, and bringing more tangible benefits to the enterprises and people of both countries.

"Belt and Road" Jointly Builds the Future. Peru is one of the earliest Latin American countries to join the "Belt and Road" Initiative. Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Jointly Building the "Belt and Road" Cooperation between China and Peru, the high-quality cooperation between the two countries under the "Belt and Road" framework has been steadily advancing. This year, multiple "Belt and Road" projects have achieved positive progress.

Machu Picchu is located on the Andes ridge in South America, home to significant ruins of the Inca civilization, one of the three major civilizations in the Americas. In [month], the construction of the first highway tunnel project leading to the Inca古城遗址Machu Picchu in Peru, undertaken by a Chinese enterprise, was completed. The tunnel is 9.5 kilometers long and is the largest cross-section and longest bidirectional single-lane highway tunnel in Peru. After the tunnel's opening, it will provide tourists with a new route option to Machu Picchu, boosting the local tourism industry.

The Chancay Port in Peru is a natural deep-water port. The Chancay Port project, undertaken by Chinese enterprises, is one of the landmark projects in Latin America under the Belt and Road Initiative. It is also the first smart port in South America, comprising a multipurpose terminal, a container terminal, and infrastructure facilities. Upon completion, it will become a new hub port and a gateway port in the Pacific for Latin America, significantly reducing the direct sailing time from Peru to Asia.

Peruvian economists predict that the Chancay Port will annually generate economic benefits equivalent to .% of Peru's GDP. Reportedly, the project is adjacent to the Chancay Wetland, an important habitat for birds, and the surrounding waters are home to marine animals such as seals and penguins. During the construction period, the concept of green development was integrated into every aspect of the project. The port project team also established an animal rescue station, actively taking on the social responsibility of rescuing penguins, seals, and birds.

In recent years, Chinese enterprises have participated in the construction of a series of infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, airports, and ports. These cooperative projects actively contribute to local economic development and bring tangible benefits to the people. Looking ahead, China and Peru will continue to work hand in hand to create an even brighter future.