By Qian Ding, CCTV.com editor

A reception to celebrate the 196th Anniversary of Peru Independence was held on Friday, July 28 in Beijing. The Peruvian ambassador to China, his delegation along with representatives of different countries were also in attendance.

H.E.Mr.Gonzalo Gutierrez, Ambassador of Peru to China, gave a speech at the ceremony. (Photo/ Qian Ding)

On July 28, 1821, José de San Martín and his forces liberated Peru and proclaimed its independence from Spain. Three years after proclamation, Peru ensured its independence.Today, Peru is a democratic republic divided into 25 regions with Lima as its capital.

Located in the western part of South America, bordered to the north by Ecuador and Columbia, in the east by Brazil, southeast by Bolivia, south by Chili, and west by the Pacific Ocean, its main economic activities include mining, manufacturing, agriculture and fishing.

Participants in traditional Peruvian costumes. (Photo/ Monika)

 Peruvian girl at the ceremony. (Photo/ Qian Ding)

Peruvian food

Peru established diplomatic relations with People's Republic of China in 1971. Bilateral ties have been developing smoothly ever since. China has been Peru's largest trading partner, export market and source of imports for years, and Peru has become one of the top destinations in Latin America for Chinese investment.

Over 170 Chinese businesses have invested more than 14 billion US dollars in Peru.The China-Peru Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was ratified by each country's government in December 2009 and went into effect on March 1,2010.

China has opened 4 Confucius Institutes in Peru with over 4,000 registered students. More and more Chinese have listed Peru as their next travel destination as well.

(The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com. )

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