Peru's beloved Alpaca plays vital role in country's culture, economy

Peruvians remain fiercely proud of their country's most famous furry friend, the alpaca, with the beloved mammal serving not only as a fluffy symbol of the South American country's culture and traditions, but also deeply intertwining with its economy.

Known as a national treasure, images of the alpaca appear everywhere in Peru, with the popular creature featuring on items of clothing and being a favorite cuddly stuffed animal toy. Its close cousin, the vicuna, even adorns Peru's coat of arms.

Native to the Andes mountains in Peru's highlands, alpaca are highly prized for their fleece, which are used to make everything from simple ponchos to high fashion garments.

At Mundo Alpaca, a small museum and boutique in Peru's capital Lima, the displays tell the story of the camelid herbivore and the people who raise them. While exposing the history and tradition of the alpaca industry in the country, the museum also promotes the textile richness of Peru and the Andes.

Another reason the animal is so revered is for its cherished fleece. With more than 20 natural colors, alpaca wool offers many product options, as well as being a very practical clothing option, especially in the colder climates.

Museum manager Eduardo Ruiz pointed out one eye-catching poncho which he said is truly suitable to be worn in all seasons.

"This is very soft and it's warm, because Alpaca lives in the highlands. So it could be for all [seasons]. It adapts to all the weathers, so it could be ready for winter, for summer," he said.

The alpaca industry is a major economic force in Peru, with exports last year totaling more than 200 million dollars, with China, Italy and the United States serving as the top export destinations.

The South American country accounts for about 80 percent of the total global alpaca fiber production, helping support the livelihoods of more than 80,000 Peruvian families, including many ranchers who reside in the highlands.

"The people in the highlands sell the alpaca [fiber], so we can use it. So it's like, we are helping each other," said Ruiz.

But the alpaca offers more than just a series of highly-sought after products, it is also seen as the central symbol of Peru's heritage, and remains a source of great national pride, according to Ruiz.

"When you use and you wear alpaca, it is something that you are very, very proud of here," he said.

Peru's beloved Alpaca plays vital role in country's culture, economy

Chinese aircraft carriers will be equipped with both the next-gen J-15 and J-35 fighter jets, a senior designer said Tuesday at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Zhuhai Airshow.

Speaking at a press conference hosted by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), Sun Cong, chief designer of the J-15 fighter jets, highlighted the complementary roles of the two aircraft in a carrier's mission system.

Sun stressed its long development journey dating back to 2004, as part of the air force's move towards "information-centric" warfare.

"When it comes to the development of 'one platform, multiple variants', it's a matter of design philosophy. From the perspective of fighter jets, we've evolved from earlier generations that prioritized altitude and speed to third-generation fighters focused on energy maneuverability. Now, we've entered an era centered on information integration. In other words, a fighter is no longer merely a weapons platform; it's a critical information node. With the nation investing heavily in these projects, we've naturally adapted the design for multi-service use, adopting a systematic, series-based approach. The J-35's development, which started as far back as 2004, is a testament to this long-term effort, and unveiled to the public now," he said.

Furthermore, Sun told the media that non-stealth aircraft like the J-15 are suitable for missions after securing air superiority, while stealth fighters such as the J-35 are pivotal in achieving air dominance.

"The purpose of showcasing these aircraft is to highlight their coordinated roles on carriers. The J-15 and J-35 are designed to complement each other's capabilities. Typically, once air superiority is achieved, non-stealth aircraft can be widely deployed. However, during the initial phase of securing air superiority, high-performance stealth jets such as the J-35 are essential. This reflects a systematic approach to the development of carrier-based aviation," Sun said.

This year's event is running from Tuesday to Sunday.

Chinese aircraft carrier to be equipped with J-15, J-35: designer