China treasures its friendship and cooperation with Peru and regards it as a good friend and partner in Latin America, a senior CPC official said in Lima Thursday.

Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) Central Committee, arrived in Lima on Thursday afternoon for a visit to Peru.

In a statement released at the airport, Li said he will meet with Peruvian President Alan Garcia and other significant figures during his visit. He expected to exchange views with them on issues of common interest.

Peru is one of the first Latin American countries which established diplomatic links with China.

Now, Peru has the largest overseas Chinese community in the region.

China has become the second largest trade partner and No. 2 export market for Peru. Bilateral trade volume reached US$3.9 billion in 2006.

Peru has set up over 150 investment projects in China while China invested several hundred million dollars in Peru, mainly in mining, trade and textile sectors.

Peru is the last leg of Li's Latin America trip, which has taken him to Mexico, Venezuela, Suriname and Ecuador.

After visiting Peru, Li will pay a visit to Samoa, an island nation in the South Pacific.

(Xinhua News Agency March 30, 2007)