Shanghai, Peru deepen ties at 'Peru Opportunities' event

The "Peru Opportunities" event — part of the Shanghai International Sister Cities Hub project — was staged at the Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trading Center in Shanghai on June 20.

Co-hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and the Consulate General of Peru in Shanghai, the event spotlighted Peruvian specialty products. It also highlighted general investment opportunities, the Chancay Port project and cultural exchange.

In recent years, trade between China and Peru has grown steadily. China has been Peru's largest trading partner for 10 consecutive years.

A key milestone came in November last year with the opening of Chancay Port, a smart port jointly built under the Belt and Road Initiative. As the first of its kind in South America, the port is slashing shipping time and logistics costs between the two countries.

Two signing ceremonies were held during the event.

·The Shanghai International Sister Cities Hub project team signed cooperation intentions for the China International Import Expo with several Peruvian brands, including Peru Chanchamayo Coffee and the high-quality handmade alpaca product brand BBFat.

·The Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trading Center signed an agreement with Peruvian Andes Coffee and Chanchamayo for the "Taste of China" Global Green Coffee Bean Competition — paving the way for more Peruvian products to enter the Chinese market.

A free-exchange session brought added interest. It featured live performances by Peruvian artists and interactive zones themed on the ancient city of Machu Picchu and the Inca civilization which flourished in Peru between c. 1400 and 1533 CE.

A life-sized alpaca plush installation attracted many visitors, while a Peruvian food tasting area offered guests a great gastronomic cultural experience.

Elsewhere, business consultation and product showcase zones provided trade policy guidance and networking opportunities for companies from both countries.

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The Peru Opportunities event is seen as a practical step toward implementing the outcomes of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

By combining trade cooperation with cultural exchange, the event aims to further deepen the existing friendship between China and Peru — and to advance comprehensive cooperation between China and Latin America.