The decision to exempt Peruvians from visa requirements for travel to the People's Republic of China for up to 30 days will inject new dynamism into the bilateral relationship, looking toward a promising future, and opens opportunities not only for Peruvian tourism but also for the trade of flagship products such as blueberries, grapes, avocados, or alpaca textiles.

This was the shared view of Chinese Embassy's Consul in Peru, Cristiano Feng, along with diplomats Felicia Xie and Pedro Rong, who were interviewed by Andina News Agency about the visa exemption for Peruvians wishing to enter the Asian giant for a maximum period of one month.

The measure (which also benefits citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay) has been in effect since June 1 and will remain valid until May 31, 2026. 

It will allow Peruvians holding ordinary passports to travel to China for tourism, business, family visits, cultural exchanges, or transit.

Consul Cristiano Feng stated that the visa exemption constitutes a bridge of friendship between the two ancient civilizations (Peru and China).

"We hope that the Peruvian people will cross that ocean to experience, within 30 days, how an ancient Eastern civilization embraces the future, and that together we will open up new horizons of connection," he said.

Feng offered various recommendations for Peruvians planning a trip to the Asian giant, including ensuring that their passport has at least six months of validity and no physical damage; complying with customs regulations when transporting flora, fauna, currency, or other items; and carrying legitimate and supporting documents, such as a letter of invitation, hotel reservations, and return flight tickets.

There is no mandatory regulation regarding the minimum amount of travel funds.

New opportunities for Peruvian trade

Embassy Attaché Felicia Xie emphasized that the visa exemption will facilitate the direct participation of Peruvian producers and entrepreneurs in trade fairs and business rounds in the Asian country, such as the China International Import Expo in Shanghai or the Canton Fair, where alpaca textiles have generated great interest and are increasingly in demand.

"Many countries around the world come to these fairs to showcase their emblematic products," she said, noting that while some countries are closing their borders to foreigners, China upholds a state policy of openness to the world.

Xie noted that Peruvian products such as avocados, blueberries, grapes, and pecans are among those most benefited by this new measure, as they have gained popularity among Chinese consumers, whose middle class exceeds 400 million people.

"It is a market with enormous potential, not only for fresh fruit but also for value-added products," she stated.

The diplomat recalled that since the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Peru and China came into effect in 2010, Peruvian agricultural exports to the Asian country have multiplied by 18.

The visa exemption, Xie said, not only reflects the strengthening of diplomatic ties, but also a commercial dynamization strategy aimed at consolidating a shared future between both nations.

"We want to facilitate the flow of people, investment, and trade. This openness especially benefits Peruvian small and medium-sized enterprises that seek to enter the large Chinese market," she noted.

Another factor boosting this new commercial phase is the Port of Chancay, which will provide a more direct and faster maritime connection between Peru and China. The route to Shanghai, expected to take just 23 days, will reduce logistics costs by more than 20%, she underscored.

At another point, Xie emphasized that Peru has become the second-largest destination for Chinese investment and the fourth-largest trading partner in all of Latin America for 11 consecutive years.

"During 2024, our bilateral trade reached US$41 billion. Furthermore, thanks to the successful exchange of state visits last year, we achieved consensus on cooperation across various areas, raising our comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level," she underscored.

Chinese language

Pedro Rong, also an attaché at the Chinese embassy in Peru, spoke about Chinese language education in Peru.

Similarly, the diplomat noted that more and more people are studying Mandarin due to the new academic and commercial opportunities emerging in that Asian country.

"My understanding is that it is now more fashionable to study Mandarin, not only because of the culture and the similarities we share, but also because studying Mandarin can bring many opportunities. It is a key to opening the world," the official stated.

He indicated that there are currently four Confucius Institutes in Peru where Mandarin Chinese is taught—two in Lima, one in Piura, and another in Arequipa. The programs include cultural exchange and access to scholarships.

Open doors

The three representatives of the Chinese Embassy in Peru invited all Peruvians to visit their country’s main tourist attractions, such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City in Beijing, and the technological centers of Shanghai and Shenzhen, among others.