Chinese, Peruvian presidents pledge to boost cooperation (2)

Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd R) meets with Peruvian President Ollanta Humala in Brasilia, Brazil, July 16, 2014. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)

For his part, Humala said China is an important partner of his country and strengthening ties with the Asian giant is a priority in Peru's foreign policy.

Peru is willing to work with China to deepen political trust, strengthen cooperation in areas such as energy, mining, hydro-electricity and infrastructure, and promote people-to-people and education exchanges, he said, adding that Lima encourages more young Peruvians to learn the Chinese language and understand China.

The Peruvian leader also expressed readiness to work with China and Brazil on the transcontinental railway project for the benefit of all the three peoples.

Lima, added the president, hopes to cooperate with Beijing to strive for positive results at the upcoming UNFCCC conference.

Calling Peru an important country in South America, Xi said China is willing to make joint efforts with Peru and other members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to turn the soon-to-be-launched China-CELAC forum into a success so as to advance the overall cooperation between China and Latin America.

China also stands ready to enhance cooperation with Peru under the framework of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), added the Chinese president.

Peru supports and welcomes the upgrading of China-Latin America cooperation, and will play an active part in the China-CELAC forum, Humala said, adding that he is looking forward to traveling to China in November for the APEC leaders' meeting.

Xi is in Brasilia for a state visit to Brazil, where he has taken part in the sixth summit of the emerging-market bloc of BRICS and is also scheduled to attend a China-Latin America summit.

Brazil is the first leg of Xi's ongoing Latin America tour, which will also take him to Argentina, Venezuela and Cuba.