LIMA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- China's contributions to Peru in recent years have greatly supported the South American country's development and strengthened bilateral ties, former Peruvian Ambassador to China Juan Carlos Capunay has said.
Capunay, who served as Peru's ambassador to China from 2014 to 2017, recently told Xinhua that the closeness between the two countries was not imposed from the outside, but is a relationship that flows naturally and follows its own path.
The development of bilateral ties has been remarkable and should first be understood from a historical perspective, said Capunay.
"A transculturation has developed between China and Peru, giving rise to customs, words that can be described as a Chinese-Peruvian lexicon, and ways of behavior," he said. "This brings the Peruvian people closer to the Chinese people."
Chinese investment in Peru's infrastructure, science, technology and finance has helped strengthen the country's export and trade capacity, Capunay said, highlighting the Chancay megaport project.
The megaport on Peru's central coast, he said, has created significant employment opportunities locally and plays a strategically important role in connecting Peruvian exports with Asian markets.
"It is not only about the immediate effect of hiring people for construction and now port operations, but also about the future possibilities this investment represents. That is the best example of the benefits Chinese investment has brought and continues to bring," he said.
In contrast with other global financing models, he said bilateral cooperation with China is based on respect for each country's sovereign decisions regarding sectors, timelines and forms of investment.
Capunay also praised the role Chinese technology has played in Peru's development, highlighting support from Chinese tech giant Huawei, which he said has been instrumental in expanding telecommunications across the country.
The trust built over the years between Peru and China is a key asset for strengthening their strategic partnership, creating opportunities for trade, infrastructure and the greater well-being of both peoples in the years ahead, Capunay said.
On China's global role, the former diplomat highlighted the cooperation model promoted by the Asian country through complementarity, economic ties, and commercial and technological interdependence with various regions.
He said China's efforts to strengthen multilateral frameworks have benefitted participating countries, citing the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as successful examples.
"At a time of protectionism, new taxes and unilateral attitudes, China's move to open its market through international fairs has made China and its economic structure a close possibility for the rest of the world," Capunay said.■
