Xi Jinping opens huge port in Peru funded by China

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened a $1.3 billion deep-water port in Peru that was funded by Beijing as it seeks greater trade and influence in South America.

LIMA, Peru — Chinese President Xi Jinping launched a weeklong diplomatic blitz of South America on Thursday by inaugurating a massive deep-water port in Peru, a $1.3 billion investment by Beijing as it seeks to expand trade and influence on the continent.

With China’s demand for agricultural goods and metals from Latin America growing, Xi will participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima and then head to the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro next week, where he will also make a state visit to Brazil.

Xi and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte participated on Thursday by video link in the opening of the Chancay port, about 48 miles north of Lima on the Pacific Ocean, and signed a deal to widen an existing free trade agreement.

Xi said that Chancay, a 15-berth, deep-water port, was the successful start of a “21st-century maritime Silk Road” and part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, its modern revival of the ancient Silk Road trading route.

Cranes at the Chancay megaport are seen behind a neighborhood in Chancay, Peru, last month.Chris Bouroncle / AFP - Getty Images file“China is willing to work with the Peruvian side to take the Chancay project as a starting point to forge a new maritime-land corridor between China and Latin America and connect the Great Inca Trail,” Xi said, referring to a 15th-century mountain network that joined the Inca empire.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/xi-jinping-opens-huge-port-peru-funded-china-rcna180289

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