China, Peru conclude FTA talks, uplift ties to strategic partnership
20/11/2008 17:31
China and Peru concluded their talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) and
upgraded bilateral ties to a strategic partnership in Lima yesterday.
Chinese
President Hu Jintao and Peruvian President Alan Garcia announced the news after
their official talks.
Hu said the move symbolized that bilateral ties are
entering a new era of rapid development.
Since the beginning of this year,
China-Peru ties have made new headway. Both countries maintained close political
contact, strengthened political mutual trust, expanded trade links and enhanced
cultural exchanges, and maintained close consultation and cooperation in
international and regional affairs.
On the future of bilateral cooperation,
Hu said China and Peru should give full play to each other's advantages in
resources, technology, capital and market.
After the conclusion of FTA
negotiations, Hu urged the two sides to sign and implement the pact at an early
date so as to bring benefits to the two peoples as soon as possible.
More
efforts could be made in the mining area and the Chinese side hoped the Peruvian
side could facilitate Chinese enterprises seeking to invest in Peru.
Chinese
enterprises have mature expertise and rich experience in the construction of
ports, roads, telecommunications, electricity network and urban water-supply
system and are willing to participate in all these projects in Peru, Hu
said.
He also suggested both sides enhance cooperation in hi-tech fields and
others like poverty eradication.
Garcia said China is a reliable friend of
Peru and Peru supports China's development.
Peru expects more Chinese mining
enterprises to invest in Peru and is ready to create sound investment conditions
and environment for Chinese corporations, Garcia said.
Also yesterday, China
and Peru signed 11 cooperative documents in economy, technology, health,
customs, poverty relief, finance, mining, agriculture and other areas. Hu and
Garcia both attended the signing ceremony.
The two presidents also witnessed
the opening of three Confucius Institutes in Peruvian universities.
Hu
arrived in Lima from the Cuban capital Havana for a state visit to Peru. During
his stay, he will also attend the Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
Xinhua
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