China's economic growth will decisively help Peru and other Latin American countries in their fight against the international financial crisis, Peruvian Deputy Foreign Minister Gonzalo Gutierrez said Sunday.

China's contribution to boosting the world economy, especially the economy of the Asia-Pacific region, is unparalleled, Gutierrez told a press conference after the initial session of the Concluding Senior Officials Meeting on the first day of the Leaders' Week of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

He said China's stable economic growth, which is expected to keep at a rate of more than 8 percent amid the grim global economic environment will be of great importance to Latin America, the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

Gutierrez also highlighted the significance of China's participation in the ongoing APEC event, noting that its involvement will create new opportunities for extended economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

When answering a question from Xinhua on Chinese President Hu Jintao's upcoming trip to Lima, the diplomat said Hu's visit will be "the first by a Chinese president to Peru and is of utmost importance" as it will consolidate the China-Peru bilateral partnership and their ties in a multilateral frame.

Gutierrez said Hu's visit will expand bilateral cooperation in various fields and encourage more investment from China in Peru.

The APEC 2008 Leaders' Week was scheduled for Nov. 16-23, and the theme for this year's APEC forum is "A New Commitment to the Asia-Pacific Development."

Some of the topics expected to be discussed include the global financial crisis, APEC's support for the WTO Doha Round negotiations, APEC regional economic integration, investment promotion, and economic and technical cooperation, as well as climate changes and food security.

(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2008)