Chinese President Hu Jintao's upcoming visit to Peru will consolidate bilateral ties and promote regional cooperation, former Peruvian Foreign Minister Fernando De Trazegnies told Xinhua Friday.

Hu will pay state visits to Costa Rica, Cuba, Peru and Greece from Nov. 16 to 26. The Chinese leader will also attend the Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum from Nov. 22 to 23 in the Peruvian capital of Lima.

In an interview with Xinhua, Trazegnies said one of the most meaningful aspects of Hu's visit to Peru was the possibility of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

"The FTA is a tool used to open windows and doors, to ventilate the house, for not living in the fiction of protectionism. Also, it represents a great number of business possibilities that are opened before us, and we know how to take advantage of them," said Trazegnies, adding that the FTA would benefit both countries.

For China, he said, the agreement would open an additional market for its products and may even open up the possibility of China making Peru an economic base from where to operate in the South American region.

For Peru, the opening of the Chinese market would assure a market for Peruvian products such as fish and flour, "which are so important for our economy," said Trazegnies.

He said the prospects for Peru in China are greater than that for China in Peru, simply because of the huge disparity in the population of the two nations -- 1.3 billion Chinese vs 28 million Peruvians.

"But don't forget that prospects are simply virtual spaces, we must know how to enter them and take advantage of the opportunities. Nothing will drop from heaven," Trazegnies cautioned.

Speaking about Chinese investments in Peru, he said, "Peruvians must understand that investors are not invaders, not the new conquerors, but our partners."

However, he also pointed out that "some Chinese mining companies have mistreated the environment."

About the access of Peruvian products to the Chinese market, Trazegnies said Peru should offer new products at reasonable prices.

"If we update our technology and are able to produce the most modern products at low prices, it will be easier for our products to enter China," Trazegnies said.

Besides the economic aspects, cultural exchanges should also be promoted, so that both nations can deepen mutual understanding, said Trazegnies.

"Cultural activity is an extraordinary bridge that could be built from one side to the other of the Pacific Ocean," he said.

During his trip to Peru, Hu is scheduled to hold talks with President Alan Garcia, address the nation's Congress and sign a range of agreements, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has said.

China and Peru entered into a partnership of comprehensive cooperation in 2005.

(Xinhua News Agency November 15, 2008)