On the afternoon of March 19, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Peruvian President Alan Garcia at the Great Hall of the People. Both sides agreed to push forward China-Peru comprehensive cooperative partnership and remain good friends of mutual trust and good partners with win-win cooperation.

During the meeting, Hu sang highly of the development of China-Peru relations based on mutual respect, equality and friendship over the past 37 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties, describing bilateral relationship as healthy and stable, mutual high-level visits as frequent, cooperation in various fields as ever expanding and two sides as taking cooperative attitude in dealing with international or regional affairs.  Hu said he particularly appreciated Garcia continuing a friendly policy towards China after retaking the presidential office, adding that he appreciated Peru's one-China policy and support for China's peaceful reunification. China is pleased with the sound momentum for the development of bilateral relations, he added.

Garcia said the two countries enjoy a traditional friendship and developing ties with China is closely linked with Peru's future. He said he had visited China several times and had witnessed great changes taking place in the country since it adopted the reform and opening up policy. The Peruvian government and people sincerely admire China's development achievements and wish Chinese people a brighter future under the leadership of the CPC and the Chinese government.

Garcia reiterated that the Peruvian government firmly adheres to the one-China policy and opposes any act aimed at separating China.  Garcia said that Peru publicly and clearly opposes Taiwan's referendum on its "UN membership", noting that the referendum is against norms and principles of international laws and is a threat to world peace and stability.

Hu said, in order to bring the China-Peru all-round cooperative partnership to a new high, China is willing to make joint efforts with Peru in the following four aspects. First, maintain high-level exchanges, deepen political relations of equality and mutual trust and strengthen friendly exchanges between the two countries' governmental organs, legislatures and ruling parties. Second, give full play to complementary advantages and expand mutually beneficial pragmatic cooperation. Hu urged both sides to actively and pragmatically promote free trade area negotiations and push for new results of cooperation in trade, energy, mining, agriculture, forestry, fishery and infrastructure. The Chinese government supports Chinese businesses to invest in Peru and carry out various forms of mutually beneficial cooperation with their Peruvian counterparts. Third, carry forward the traditional friendship between China and Peru and promote exchanges in all areas. China supports the holding of cultural exhibitions in each other and exchanges in the field of cultural heritage protection. Both sides should well implement cultural exchange programs, said Hu, expressing hope that the two countries can strengthen poverty alleviation cooperation and learn from each other's experience in this area. China is also ready to enhance exchanges and cooperation with Peru on tourism, space science, Antarctic affairs, traditional medicine and judicature. Fourth, maintain close multilateral cooperation.  Hu proposed that the two countries should intensify bilateral consultation and coordination in international and regional organizations as well as on major international affairs so as to safeguard the rights and interests of the two countries and all the developing countries at large and promote the world's peace, stability and development. Hu said China supports and is willing to actively assist Peru in holding the APEC meeting for the Year of 2008.

Garcia said Peru is willing to be a strategic partner to China, and further deepen bilateral traditional friendship, build up consensus and expand exchanges and cooperation on politics, economy and culture. Peru will make joint efforts with China to actively push forward the FTA negotiations, expand bilateral trade, and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of agriculture, mining, infrastructure, shipping and tourism.   Garcia said Peru welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in the country and will provide sound environment for Chinese investors.    Garcia also expressed his warm anticipation for Hu's attendance at the 2008 APEC meeting.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly attended a signing ceremony of several cooperation agreements on economics, technology, cultural exchanges, quarantine and journalism.

Prior to the talks, President Hu Jintao held a welcoming ceremony for President Garcia's visit at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Han Qide, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Vice Chairman Bai Lichen of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Vice Chairman Suo Lisheng of the Central Committee of China Democratic League, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, Vice Chairman Zhu Zhixin of the National Development and Reform Commission and Chinese Ambassador to Peru Gao Zhengyue attended the welcoming ceremony.