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Chinese Special Envoy Yin Hejun Attends Peruvian Presidential Handover

Science and Technology Minister meets President-elect Keiko Fujimori to reaffirm economic and Belt and Road cooperation.

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Two adults walk along a pathway outside a building in sunny Piura, Peru, on a clear day.
Photo by Manuel Camacho-Navarro on Pexels

The Brief

Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun attended the presidential inauguration in Lima on July 28 as special envoy to President Xi Jinping. Prior to the ceremony, Yin met with Peru's newly elected President, Keiko Fujimori, on July 27 to convey Xi's greetings. The meeting underscored ongoing bilateral economic engagement, with China remaining Peru's largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years and continuing cooperation on major infrastructure projects such as the Chancay Port. Fujimori reaffirmed Peru's adherence to the one-China principle and expressed a desire to deepen bilateral cooperation as both nations mark 55 years of diplomatic relations.

Why it matters

Peru serves as an essential economic partner and a major Latin American hub for China's Belt and Road Initiative. Sending a presidential special envoy to the inauguration secures early high-level contact with the incoming Peruvian leadership, consolidating political backing for strategic investments like the Chancay Port and ensuring policy continuity across bilateral economic agreements.

China context

Amid shifting international economic dynamics, Beijing continues to prioritize pragmatic economic ties across Latin America. Dispatching the Minister of Science and Technology as special envoy signals continuity in China's comprehensive strategic partnership with Peru, placing trade ties, technological exchange, and high-quality Belt and Road development at the center of its regional diplomacy.

Editor's View

EDITOR'S VIEW — Analysis and inference, not factual reporting. The diplomatic engagement in Lima highlights Beijing's focus on maintaining stable political relationships with incoming Latin American governments. By leading with trade statistics—such as China's 12-year standing as Peru's top trading partner—and highlighting major infrastructure projects like the Chancay Port, Beijing seeks to anchor bilateral relations in mutual economic benefit regardless of domestic political transitions in the region.

What to watch

  • The continuity of Chinese investment policies under Peru's new administration.
  • Operational progress and logistics developments surrounding the Chancay Port project.
  • Potential commemorative events and new bilateral agreements signed during the 55th anniversary of China-Peru diplomatic relations.

Key Takeaways

  • 1Special Envoy Yin Hejun attended Peru's presidential inauguration in Lima on July 28.
  • 2President-elect Keiko Fujimori held a bilateral meeting with Yin on July 27.
  • 3China has remained Peru's largest trading partner and export market for 12 consecutive years.
  • 4Fujimori reaffirmed Peru's commitment to the one-China principle and welcomed ongoing Chinese investment.
  • 5Both sides noted the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties and highlighted the Chancay Port project under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun attended the presidential inauguration ceremony in Lima on July 28, acting as the special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the invitation of the Peruvian government, state media reported on July 29. Ahead of the official ceremony, President-elect Keiko Fujimori held a bilateral meeting with Envoy Yin on July 27 in the Peruvian capital. During the meeting, Yin conveyed President Xi's cordial greetings and best wishes to Fujimori. He noted that bilateral relations between China and Peru have consistently developed at the forefront of China's relations with Latin American nations. Yin pointed out that China has remained Peru's largest trading partner and largest export market for twelve consecutive years. He specifically highlighted the strong performance of the flagship Chancay Port project, which operates under the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Noting that 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Peru, Yin stated Beijing's willingness to work alongside the incoming Peruvian government to advance bilateral ties and achieve further outcomes. Fujimori asked Yin to convey her sincere greetings to President Xi and expressed gratitude for the high-level Chinese delegation dispatched to her inauguration. She stated that Peru attaches high importance to its relationship with Beijing and reaffirmed Peru's firm commitment to the one-China principle. Fujimori also positively evaluated the contribution of Chinese investment to Peru's socio-economic development, reaffirming her government's readiness to deepen practical cooperation across various fields and continuously advance bilateral relations.