Chinese, Peruvian presidents declare opening of Chancay Port

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Peruvian counterpart Dina Boluarte on Thursday attended the opening ceremony of the Chancay Port via video link.

Xi flew in earlier in the day to pay a state visit to Peru and attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

The two heads of state listened to reports from the heads of transportation departments of both countries and watched a video presentation on the Chancay Port project. Representatives from both China and Peru at the project site reported to the two leaders, requesting authorization to commence port operations.

The two heads of state gave the order, announcing opening of the port.

The Chancay Port is located in the Chancay Bay, about 80 kilometers north of Peru's capital Lima. It is a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative and the first smart port in South America. Once completed, it will become a new hub port in Latin America and a gateway port to the Pacific.

The first phase of the port project will shorten the shipping time from Peru to China to 23 days, reducing logistics costs by more than 20 percent. It is expected to generate 4.5 billion U.S. dollars in annual revenue for Peru and directly create over 8,000 jobs.

Chinese, Peruvian presidents declare opening of Chancay Port

Chinese, Peruvian presidents declare opening of Chancay Port

Chinese, Peruvian presidents declare opening of Chancay Port

Chinese, Peruvian presidents declare opening of Chancay Port

Chinese, Peruvian presidents declare opening of Chancay Port

Chinese, Peruvian presidents declare opening of Chancay Port

With the year 2025 just around the corner, a teacher from Syria's capital of Damascus hopes that Syrians can rebuild their homes in the new year and have a peaceful future.

The situation in Syria underwent dramatic and astonishing changes in early December as opposition forces entered Damascus and took over state television channels to announce what they described as the fall of Damascus and the end of President Bashar al-Assad's government.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said more than 1.1 million Syrian civilians were displaced because of the hostilities erupted in the country in late November and early December.

Huzaifa Hamoud is a teacher and s media activist from Damascus. He hopes the country will be rebuilt with the joint efforts of its people.

"We hope that we can build our country again and find a peaceful future for everyone. Syria now is going to be much more greater than before, because all the Syrians are working together and going to achieve the things that haven't been achieved. The new year, the new dreams here are more greater than before. All the Syrians are approximately one hand trying to do the best thing to build this country," he said.

The newly-formed Syrian transitional government has vowed to pivot to state-building to ensure lasting peace in the country.

Syrian teacher hopes to rebuild his country in new year