Chinese President Xi Jinping and Peruvian counterpart Dina Boluarte inaugurated a $1.3 billion port that could transform South American trade with Asia just as Beijing prepares for a potential trade war with the US.

By Eduardo Baptista, Marco Aquino and Lucinda Elliott LIMA (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Lima on Thursday, kicking off a week-long diplomatic blitz in Latin America by inaugurating the massive Chancay deep-water port,

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Peru Thursday for an Asia-Pacific summit where he will meet US counterpart Joe Biden under the shadow of a looming trade war with the incoming administration of Donald Trump.

Chinese companies put up billboards in Lima, capital of Peru on November 12, 2024, showing China-Peru deep ties and growing cooperation, ahead of the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting. Photos: Wang Cong/GT

However, the APEC summit offers her the chance to play host and receive the attention of global leaders. She’s expected to meet with both US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The APEC summit is set against a tense local backdrop for Peru -- which is hosting the conference for the first time since 2016.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Peru on Thursday morning accompanied by some 400 businesspeople and entrepreneurs to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that lasts through Saturday.

President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to depart for Peru on Thursday to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, with an eye on a possible meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump during the South America trip.