18:27 | Singapore, Nov. 13 (ANDINA).
Chinese President Hu Jintao on Friday announced his country is interested in strengthening strategic partnership with Peru, after meeting with President Alan Garcia in Singapore, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum is taking place this year.
"The strengthening of strategic partnership between China and Peru conforms to the interests of both countries," Hu Jintao told Xinhua news agency.
He said both countries need to exert greater efforts in enhancing political mutual trust, advancing their pragmatic cooperation and promoting the development of bilateral ties in an all-round way.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting slated for Saturday and Sunday in Singapore.
Peruvian President Alan Garcia and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao met to discuss the development of their countries' bilateral pragmatic cooperation.
Hu Jintao said a Chinese Navy fleet would also pay a good-will visit to Peru next month.
In the past year, Sino-Peruvian relations have witnessed rapid development in an all-round way, including increasing strategic mutual trust and frequent exchanges of high-level visit, Hu added.
The Chinese president said the two countries have also deepened their pragmatic cooperation, increased investment and signed a bilateral free trade agreement.
Both China and Peru, Hu said, were facing the common task of countering the international financial crisis, developing their economies and improving their citizens' well-being.
Hu said that this year marked the 160th anniversary of the Chinese settlement in Peru, and China values its bilateral strategic partnership and traditional friendship with the Latin American country.
Peru is one of China's major trading partners in Latin America. Bilateral trade increased by 24 percent year-on-year in 2008 and totaled 7.5 billion U.S. dollars.
(END)INT/MDV/JCP/RMB
Publicado: 13/11/2009