China will strengthen its economic, scientific, technological and cultural ties with Peru, a senior Chinese official said on Monday.

Liu Yunshan, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau and head of the CPC Central Committee Publicity Department, made the statement after meeting with Peruvian President Alan Garcia in the Government Palace of Lima.

"With this visit we want to strength our friendship, consolidate understanding and promote cooperation," Liu told a press conference after the meeting.

The China-Peru relations have developed smoothly since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties in 1971 and entered a new era of development in 2008, after an exchange of visits by leaders of the two countries and the establishment of bilateral strategic partnership, Liu said.

The two countries signed a free trade agreement (FTA) in April, which has played an important role in promoting their trade relations, Liu said.

China highly appreciates the Peruvian government's staunch support on Taiwan and Tibet-related issues, and is ready to strengthen friendship as well as bilateral economic, commercial and cultural ties with Peru, Liu said.

On party-to-party relations, Liu said that the CPC attaches great importance to developing relations with Peru's ruling Aprista party.

The CPC is ready to consolidate and develop friendly cooperative relations with the Aprista party and constantly enrich the contents of the communication and cooperation between the two parties to promote the development of bilateral relations, Liu said.

For his part, Garcia said that the Peruvian government has been following closely the social and economic development of China and thinks highly of China's great achievements.

The China-Peru Free Trade Agreement signed in April has created even better trading conditions for the two countries and Peru welcomes more Chinese entrepreneurs to invest and do business in Peru.

On the same day, Liu also met with Peruvian Congress President Javier Velasquez and held talks with Aprista party General Secretary Mauricio Mulder.

Leading a CPC delegation, Liu arrived here Sunday night for a visit at the invitation of the Peruvian government and the Aprista party.

(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2009)