Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Bangkok Monday that China stands ready to further strengthen cooperation with Peru on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

"The Chinese government attaches importance to the development of friendly ties with Peru," Hu told Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo at their meeting here Monday morning.

The two leaders are here attending the 11th Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Hu said that bilateral relations have developed smoothly since the two countries established full diplomatic relations 32 years ago, and that the two sides have steadily strengthened mutual political trust and expanded economic and trade cooperation in recent years.

Toledo said the people of Peru, with 5 percent of its population being of Chinese origin, cherishes its friendship with the Chinese people, and that the Peruvian government will firmly pursue its one-China policy.

Saying that Peru takes China as one of its best partners in its development, Toledo expressed the hope that the two countries would explore new areas of cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2003)