China, Peru issue joint statement on cooperation

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang(2nd L) and Peruvian President Ollanta Humala (2nd R) attend the signing of cooperation agreements between China and Peru after their talks in Lima, capital of Peru, May 22, 2015. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

LIMA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- China and Peru on Friday issued a joint statement, underlining the consensus reached between the two countries on bilateral ties and pragmatic cooperation, as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is on a three-day official visit to Peru as a guest of Peruvian President Ollanta Humala.

During their talks, Li and Humala voiced satisfaction with the visit which was regarded as a milestone in the development of bilateral ties, the statement said.

Since the two countries forged a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013, they have seen growing mutual trust and fruitful outcomes of pragmatic cooperation in the areas of investment, economy and trade, finance, energy and mining, infrastructure, education and people-to-people exchanges, it said.

The two countries will continue to push forward their partnership in line with the principle of mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win outcome, it said.

The statement said the two nations will hold their first strategic dialogue on economic cooperation on May 23, and that they will take the opportunity of this meeting to enhance strategic planning, so as to push forward pragmatic cooperation.

The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation between government departments of the two countries and promote industrial investment, it said, adding they wish to share experience in the areas of electric power generation, clean energy, petrochemical industry, metallurgy, construction materials, agriculture, forestry, and processing of aquatic products.

They agreed to tap the potential of bilateral trade and fully use the free trade pact to promote sustainable and stable growth of bilateral trade and address trade frictions through friendly negotiation, the statement said.

It said the two sides decided to enhance cooperation in production capacity and equipment manufacturing.

China and Peru agreed to conduct a feasibility study on a proposed transcontinental railway line connecting Peru's Pacific coast with Brazil's Atlantic coast, with a memorandum of understanding signed by the two sides.

The two sides agreed to enhance exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism, aviation, education, scientific research, youth and language teaching, the statement said.

They also expressed the willingness of beefing up cooperation on justice as well as the fight against corruption and transnational crimes.

The two nations reaffirmed their respect to the purpose and principle of the UN Charter and agreed to strengthen consultation on issues of common concern within multilateral frameworks like the UN, in a bid to jointly safeguard international peace and stability, promote global economic growth and the welfare of people around the world, according to the statement.

They agreed that the forum between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) has brought new opportunities to the in-depth development of the China-CELAC cooperation.

Li wished a success for the 2016 informal meeting of leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to be held in Peru, saying the Chinese government is willing to provide assistance to Peru, the statement said.

The Peruvian government looks forward to a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinpingin November 2016 where he attends the APEC leaders' meeting as well as activities marking the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Peru diplomatic relations.

The two sides both felt satisfied with the signing of cooperative documents relating to economy and trade, investment, industrial capacity, quality inspection, peaceful exploration and utilization of outer space, science and water conservancy.

The statement was issued after the talks between Li and Humala in Lima on Friday.

Peru is the third leg of Li's four-nation tour to Latin America after Brazil and Colombia. He will also visit Chile.