Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R, front) and his wife Peng Liyuan (1st R, front) are received by Peruvian Second Vice President Mercedes Araoz (2nd L) at the airport in Lima, Peru, Nov. 18, 2016. Xi arrived in Peru Friday to attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay his first state visit to Peru. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
LIMA, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Peru Friday to attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay his first state visit to the Latin American country.
Prior to the trip, Xi had visited neighboring Ecuador. The APEC meeting is scheduled for Nov. 19-20 in Peru's capital Lima under the theme of "Quality Growth and Human Development."
"My visit aims to strengthen friendship, expand common grounds, deepen cooperation and promote development," Xi said while delivering a written speech upon arrival at the airport in Lima.
The president briefly reviewed the sound China-Peru relations in various areas over the past years, noting that the two countries enjoy broad prospects of cooperation.
"China supports Peru in hosting the 24th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, and I'm looking forward to meeting with Peruvian leaders to have in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and on major international, regional issues of common concern," he said.
"I believe, with concerted efforts of both sides, my visit will achieve a complete success," he added.
Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were received by Peruvian Second Vice President Mercedes Araoz at the airport.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, who is here to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, also greeted President Xi at the airport.
Before leaving Ecuador on Friday afternoon, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa held a grand seeing-off ceremony for Xi.
In Lima, Xi will deliver a keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit, hold dialogue with representatives of the APEC Business Advisory Council and meet leaders of some other APEC member economies.
This year's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting comes as the global economy is still struggling to recover, with flagging trade and investment, rising protectionism and fragmented trade rules.
China, as the world's second largest economy, has called for safeguarding the global free trade system and opposing protectionism in any form.
After attending the APEC meeting, Xi will pay his first state visit to Peru, only about two months after his Peruvian counterpart Pedro Pablo Kuczynski -- who was sworn in on July 28 -- made his first foreign visit to China.
Xi will hold talks with Kuczynski, meet President of Peruvian Congress Luz Salgado and give a speech at the Congress. The two heads of state are also scheduled to attend the closing ceremony of the China-Latin America and Caribbean 2016 Year of Culture Exchange.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, which have witnessed long-term friendly relations and wide-ranging cooperation.
After Peru, Xi will travel to Chile, the final stop of his current three-nation tour of Latin America.
It is Xi's third visit to Latin America as president since taking office in 2013.
When addressing the Peruvian Congress, Xi is expected to expound on the thriving momentum of the comprehensive cooperative partnership China has forged with Latin America and the Caribbean, and make new proposals on propelling their cooperation.
