Xi: Peru trip will widen ties

President Xi Jinping said on Friday that his visit to Peru, the second station of his Latin American trip, will deepen cooperation and promote development.

Xi made the remarks while delivering a written speech upon arrival at the airport in Lima. He will attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay his first state visit to the Latin American country.

Prior to the trip, Xi had visited neighboring Ecuador. The APEC meeting is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in Peru's capital Lima under the theme of "Quality Growth and Human Development".

The president briefly reviewed the sound China-Peru relations in various areas over the past years, noting that the two countries enjoy broad prospects of cooperation.

"China supports Peru in hosting the 24th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, and I'm looking forward to meeting with Peruvian leaders to have in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and on major international, regional issues of common concern," he said.

"I believe, with concerted efforts of both sides, my visit will achieve a complete success," he added.

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were received by Peruvian Second Vice-President Mercedes Araoz at the airport.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, who will attend the APEC meeting, also greeted Xi at the airport.

In Lima, Xi will deliver a keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit, hold a dialogue with representatives of the APEC Business Advisory Council and meet leaders of some other APEC member economies.

After attending the APEC meeting, Xi will pay his first state visit to Peru, only about two months after his Peruvian counterpart Pedro Pablo Kuczynski -- who was sworn in on July 28 -- made his first foreign visit to China.

Xi will hold talks with Kuczynski, meet Peruvian Congress President Luz Salgado and give a speech at the Congress. The two heads of state are also scheduled to attend the closing ceremony of the China-Latin America and Caribbean 2016 Year of Culture Exchange.

After Peru, Xi will travel to Chile, the final stop of his three-nation tour of Latin America.

It is Xi's third visit to Latin America as president since he took office in 2013.

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn