Peru, China to boost bilateral ties

Peru's President of the Council of Ministers Juan Jimenez and China's Vice Commerce Minister Li Jinzao met here on Monday to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. They discussed ways to consolidate the diplomatic, commercial, political and cultural ties between Peru and China, reviewed recent mutual cooperation, and coordinated measures to strengthen friendship between the two countries. Jimenez and Li evaluated an initiative to reactivate the Peru-China Joint Cooperation Commission to improve bilateral cooperation, obtain financial cooperation for projects and build a convention center. The Peruvian authorities also asked the Chinese government for cooperation in building a National Emergency Operation Center as part of Peru's National Civil Defense Institute. In recent years, China has become one of the main countries to carry out cooperation projects in Peru. Li attended several official events on Monday, including the launching ceremony of the construction of Chinese-Peruvian Friendship Center. The 1,316-square-meter center, designed by Chinese engineers and technicians, has a 296-seat theater, an auditorium, a multipurpose hall, spaces for art exhibitions and several recreational areas.