MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Before Peruvian congress China promises aid to Latam

Chinese President Hu Jintao offered his nation's economic muscle to help Latin America weather global economic turmoil, in a speech on Thursday in Peru that marked another step in Beijing's campaign to raise its profile in the region.

In an address to Peru's Congress, Hu Jintao made no mention of the United States and its regional dominance. But he made the case for China playing a bigger role across Latin America by combining its appetite for resources, investment potential and understanding of Third World concerns. A global downturn may be sapping demand for Latin American goods, but China's economy will keep growing, Hu Jintao assured the lawmakers. "Development is the most pressing task for both China and Latin America" insisted the Chinese leader. "In our cooperation we will take care of Latin America's legitimate concerns and strive to realize mutually beneficial gains for all". His speech came towards the end of a regional tour that also has taken him to Costa Rica and Cuba.