A view of Lima, Peru Photo: VCG

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte's upcoming visit to China is expected to elevate economic cooperation, political trust, and all-round exchanges between the two countries to a new level, Chinese observers said as Boluarte prepares to begin her visit on Tuesday. This visit also demonstrates Peru's strategic autonomy despite pressure from Washington on Lima and other Latin American countries to reduce ties with Beijing.

Boluarte will pay a state visit to China from June 25 to 29 at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Monday. 

This is Boluarte's first state visit to China, and President Xi will hold meetings with her, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing.

She is also to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and China's top legislator Zhao Leji, according to Mao. The spokesperson stated that China is willing to enhance political trust with Peru through this visit, deepen pragmatic cooperation in all fields, and push for more positive results in the China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership.

Boluarte's work agenda includes important political and business meetings in the cities of Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing, Agencia Peruana de Noticias Andina, Peru's news agency reported on Monday.

In Shenzhen, Boluarte will hold a meeting with Huawei's chairman Ren Zhengfei, during which an agreement will be signed for the training of professionals in new information technologies, especially in artificial intelligence (AI), according to the news agency. 

The Peruvian president will also meet with the chairman of BYD company Wang Chuanfu, during which she will invite him to consider installing an electric car plant in Peru.

In Shanghai, Boluarte will hold a meeting with the chairman of Cosco Shipping, the main shareholder of the Chancay Megaport, which will be inaugurated next November in the South American country.

Economic cooperation, especially new, digital and economic cooperation tops Boluarte's visit, Jiang Shixue, a professor at the Center for Latin American Studies at Shanghai University, told the Global Times. He pointed out that China and Peru recently completed their seventh round of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. 

The upgraded FTA will make investment more convenient and free, so as to stimulate the two countries' trade, said Jiang.

Last month, Peru's agriculture minister announced that beef exports to China are among the topics likely to be on the agenda of Boluarte's visit.

Peru will chair APEC for a third time in 2024, hosting more than 160 meetings across the cities of Arequipa, Cusco, Trujillo, Pucallpa and Lima.

Peru is paying special attention to this event, so this topic will be touched on during Boluarte's visit, as cooperation with China plays a vital role in pushing forward agendas and reaching consensus, Wang Youming, director of the Institute of Developing Countries at the China Institute of International Studies in Beijing, told the Global Times.

He said that the visit is likely to elevate economic cooperation, political trust, and all-round exchanges between the two countries to a new level.

General Laura Richardson, commander of US Southern Command, previously voiced unease over Chancay port, saying it sits on America's "20-yard line," following a US Council on Foreign Relations report identifying it as a China-backed maritime project that could be converted for military purposes.

Chancay Port is a megaproject in northern Lima that has been dubbed "the gateway from South America to Asia." Cosco Shipping Ports, a Chinese state-owned company, acquired a 60% stake in Chancay port terminal, Caixin reported in May. 

Chinese experts criticized the US' behavior as a move aimed at sowing discord between China and Latin American countries. 

When the Chancay port is put into use, it will significantly reduce shipping time between China and Latin America, benefiting not only Peru but the entire continent, Wang said.

Peruvians generally disapprove of presidential trips, but Parliament approved a draft legislative resolution that authorized the President's visit to China, media reported.

This demonstrates a unified recognition within Peru of the importance of cooperating with China, said Wang, noting that Boluarte's visit signals the country's strategic autonomy despite pressure from Washington on Lima and other Latin American countries to reduce ties with Beijing.

Earlier this month, Peru's Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen said that the government of  Peru did not expect the upcoming trip by Boluarte to China or the increase in investment by Chinese firms in the Andean nation to cause "resentment" from the US.

The US has always viewed Latin America as its "backyard" and has been closely monitoring China's relationships with those countries. However, China's diplomatic efforts and cooperation opportunities have brought significant benefits to South American countries, allowing them to discern who their true friends are and who poses a threat, according to Wang.