Beijing, Lima celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties

By CAO DESHENG | CHINA DAILY | Updated: 2021-11-03 07:17

Peru's President Pedro Castillo receives a dose of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine in Lima, Peru, on Aug 6, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

President Xi Jinping and Peruvian President Pedro Castillo exchanged congratulations on Tuesday on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Peru, with both leaders pledging to bolster the countries' comprehensive strategic partnership.

In a congratulatory message to Castillo, Xi hailed the long-lasting friendly exchanges between the two countries despite the long distance between them, saying that bilateral ties enjoy a solid foundation.

Since they established diplomatic ties 50 years ago, the two countries have become an example of solidarity, cooperation and common development between China and Latin American countries, with their political mutual trust deepened, pragmatic cooperation expanding and cultural and people-to-people exchanges increasing, he said.

Xi referred to mutual support and assistance between China and Peru since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that they have taken action to practice the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind by developing active antivirus and vaccine cooperation.

Noting that he considers developing China-Peru relations to be greatly important, Xi said he is willing to work with Castillo to take the anniversary as an opportunity to strengthen synergies between the countries' development strategies, push for the optimization and upgrading of bilateral cooperation in various fields, boost traditional friendship and promote bilateral ties to a new stage.

Castillo said in his message that his country attaches great importance to developing ties with China.

He expressed appreciation to China for its support for Peru in combating the pandemic by providing medical supplies and vaccines, saying that his country stands ready to maintain high-level exchanges with China.

Peru wants to advance cooperation with China in trade, investment, tourism and the digital economy, jointly uphold multilateralism, work together to contain the virus and promote post-pandemic economic recovery, Castillo said.