GT on the Spot: China-Peru cooperation on display in streets of Lima ahead of APEC meeting
As Lima, the capital of Peru, gears up for the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, the close bonds and growing cooperation between China and Peru were also on vivid display on the streets of the city on Tuesday.
The 2024 APEC Economic Leaders' Week began this week in Lima. Under the theme of Empower. Include. Grow, senior officials, ministers and leaders from APEC's 21 member economies, which together account for almost two-thirds of world GDP and half of global trade, will tackle core challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region, including climate change, sustainable energy solutions, the digital economy transition and trade facilitation.
The "APEC vibe" was palpable from the airport to major streets as colorful billboards previewing the crucial meeting were ubiquitous, with many containing obvious "Chinese characteristics."
"Build a diversified and harmonious world with Chinese wisdom," read a massive billboard at the baggage hall of Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport.
At the parking lot of the airport, while there were more cars from Japanese and South Korean brands, there were also several Chinese brand cars, including one made by Chinese carmaker BYD and another brand new one made by Hongqi.
On the streets from the airport to downtown Lima, there were also many billboards put up by various Chinese companies.
"Welcome to APEC!" read one billboard carrying the logo of Aluminum Corp of China (Chinalco), which also contained Chinese- and Spanish-language messages of "supporting Peru's development."
Chinalco has long been investing in Peru. In June 2018, the company announced plans to invest $1.3 billion to expand its operations at Peru's Toromocho copper mine.
Another Chinese firm that has made a major investment is Chinese iron and steel giant Shougang Group.
On the streets of Lima on Tuesday, Shougang Hierro Peru also put up several billboards in a show of support for Peru's hosting of the APEC leaders' meeting this year. "Wish the 2024 Peru APEC meeting a complete success!" one billboard read.
China and Peru have enjoyed growing cooperation in a wide range of areas in recent years, including in investment and trade.
Peru was one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations and a comprehensive strategic partnership with the People's Republic of China. It was also the first Latin American country to sign a package of free trade agreements with China.
In 2019, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on Belt and Road Initiative cooperation, which has achieved fruitful results, with increasingly close collaboration in the economy, trade, finance, culture and other fields.
In addition to growing cooperation, there were also vivid displays of the deep historical bonds shared by the two countries on the streets of Lima on Tuesday. On the way from the airport to downtown, there were several "Chifa" restaurants with Chinese names.
"Chifa," a word that originated from the Cantonese dialect for "having meals," has become the term that Peruvians use to refer to Chinese restaurants.
Peru is one of the Latin American countries where Chinese immigrants first arrived and settled in large numbers.
Further highlighting the deep friendship between China and Peru, locals were also quick to share their connections to China and extend warm welcome to Chinese guests. A worker for APEC Peru 2024 at the airport told the Global Times that his grandmother was Cantonese, and although he hasn't been to China, he feels "close to China."
Another worker at a hotel named Sergio also told the Global Times that China is viewed as a very friendly country in Peru with a long historical tradition, and that he enjoyed watching Chinese kung fu films.