China’s President Xi Jinping inaugurated the Chancay Port in Peru on November 14, a key project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) demonstrating Beijing’s expanding presence in Latin America. The $3.6 billion deep-sea port, funded primarily by China and operated by the China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), is designed to transform trade between South America and Asia while bypassing North America entirely. COSCO holds a 60% stake in the project.
Xi described the port as a “new land-sea corridor between China and Latin America,” highlighting its strategic importance for Beijing’s global trade ambitions. Located 78 kilometers north of Lima, Chancay Port is expected to reduce shipping times between Latin America and Asia by 10 days, cut logistics costs by over 20%, and generate $4.5 billion annually for Peru—equivalent to 1.8% of the country’s GDP.
The facility’s advanced infrastructure includes four dock berths capable of accommodating ultra-…