Int'l observers encouraged by key message of Xi's speech at APEC CEO Summit

International observers have praised the forward-looking written speech of Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Peruvian capital Lima on Friday, with many analysts hailing its core message of fostering a clear consensus on development, unity, and cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

The speech, delivered on Xi's behalf by Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit 2024, called for efforts to steer economic globalization in the right direction, jointly promoting a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization to the benefit of various countries and communities.

The president's words were well received by business leaders and scholars from all around the world, with some pointing out the speech provides clear guidance for countries to uphold the spirit of openness and connectivity in addressing global challenges together.

"President Xi Jinping said a phrase yesterday that I really appreciated - 'just as a ship is powered by its sails, people are inspired by their hearts.' It has profoundly indicated that we must be guided by our hearts to be good people, to be entrepreneurial, to contribute to our country and to develop, and all of us must strive for sustainable growth and for the well-being for all the people, not only from our country but across the region," said Roberto de la Tore, president of Lima's Chamber of Commerce (CCL).

De le Tore also pointed to the inauguration of the Chancay Port - a key project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) between China and Peru which has become the first smart port in South America - as being another indicator of the strong ties between the two sides, with President Xi and his Peruvian counterpart Dina Boluarte attending Thursday's ceremony via video link.

"I think it also refers to the traditional friendship that we have for many years with the Chinese communities, reflecting the friendly ties we must have between the two peoples," said de la Tore.

"It was a message that we were expecting because China has been promoting this openness to our market, to our region. We have a long relationship with them, they're the most important socio-economic partner of Peru," said Juan Aurelio Arevalo Miro Quesada, editor-in-chief of Peruvian newspaper El Comercio, referring to Xi's speech.

Others believe that Xi's proposals have provided a clear direction for development in the Asia-Pacific region and even globally, with a Japanese scholar stating China's commitment to further deepening reform is expected to bring more opportunities to the wider world, citing several key connectivity projects.

"Japanese companies have also found opportunities in participation in projects including the 'Air Silk Road' linking Shanghai with Belgium's Ostend, and through China-Singapore rail-sea route. I believe that China can fully leverage its development in logistics and other fields to create more growth opportunities for the world. By further deepening reform and opening up, China can bring even more opportunities. I hope that China and Japan can build a win-win relationship in the future, fostering an economic relationship that benefits both sides. If given the chance, I would also like to contribute to this effort," said Kiyohide Higuchi, professor emeritus at the Waseda University in Tokyo.

Meanwhile, Cavince Adhere, a Nairobi-based international relations scholar, pointed to China's efforts to strengthen cooperation across the Global South in order to deliver common development and prosperity.

"you look at the contribution of China in regional platforms such as APEC, you also look at the role of China in regional groupings like the FOCAC, which is the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, then you really see clearly that China is building a new forum for emerging economies to work together to deliver development and prosperity for their people. And I think that's why it is very significant to appraise these ideas from President Xi Jinping in terms of how they play into the national interests of emerging countries, of developing countries," he said.

More than 1,000 top executives, strategists, and government representatives gathered for the annual APEC CEO Summit, which concluded in Lima on Friday.

Int'l observers encouraged by key message of Xi's speech at APEC CEO Summit

Peruvian business delegates have highlighted China's positive role in advancing global free trade, expressing their hope of further deepening trade and economic ties with the country after being encouraged by a written speech delivered on behalf of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Ties between the two sides are in the spotlight as President Xi arrived in Peru's capital Lima on Thursday to pay a state visit to the Latin American country at the invitation of his Peruvian counterpart Dina Boluarte and to attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, which is being held in Lima from Friday to Saturday.

Themed "Empower, Include, Grow", this year's meeting has gathered heads of state and other dignitaries from 21 member economies across the Asia-Pacific region, including China, the United States, and other major economies in Southeast Asia.

In a speech delivered on Xi's behalf by China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao at the APEC CEO Summit, the Chinese president called for efforts to guide economic globalization in the right direction, promoting an inclusive and universally beneficial globalization for the benefit of all countries and communities.

Jose Tam Perez, president of the Peruvian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, a private institution founded to promote commercial exchange between Peru and China, said Xi's speech reflects China's strong advocacy for global free trade and opposition to protectionism, and emphasizes how China is playing an increasingly strong leadership role in the global economy.

"His speech was really inspiring because he's telling the world that China wants free trade and global trade and doesn't want protectionism measures. So that was very inspiring and very interesting to listen. China is taking the leadership of the world in the future of the world," said Tam Perez.

Another landmark moment in China-Peru ties came with the inauguration of the Chancay Port - a key project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) - on Thursday, which was attended via video link by the presidents of both countries.

Julio Perez Alvan, president of the Peruvian Association of Exporters, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting exports, described Xi's presence at the "extraordinary" ceremony as a positive sign of the strengthening bilateral relations between the two sides.

"It was a very emotional moment for everybody. Even if it was virtual, but it was a very emotional time for us. [It was] very important, and the presence of Mr. President [Xi] of China only seems to have confirmed that for the two countries, this port is very important for their future relations, for the strategic relations that we have between our two countries," said Perez Alvan.

The port, located 80 kilometers north of Lima, will slash the shipping time between China and Peru to 23 days, cutting logistics costs by over 20 percent and directly creating more than 8,000 jobs.

Peruvian businesses are also eying up more cooperation and trade opportunities, with the port expected to deliver a big boost in this regard.

"We export to China mainly mining, agriculture and fish. But we hope in the future to attract more investment from China to produce here in Peru. For example, [Chinese automaker] BYD really wants to build a factory here in Peru. And [with] different countries, other countries and other companies maybe in the short term we can support industrial growth situation. That's our goal," said Felipe James Callao, President of the National Society of Industries of Peru, a non-profit institution that promotes the development of the manufacturing industry.

Peruvian business delegates inspired by Xi's speech, seek stronger trade ties with China