A delegation of 24 media workers from Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) countries visited Taicang, a county-level city of Suzhou, on Sept 11.

A group of 24 LAC journalists visit Taicang Port in Taicang, a county-level city of Suzhou, on Sept 11. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

Their tour focused particularly on Taicang Port, the largest foreign trade port in the Yangtze River Delta region, offering them an in-depth look at the development vitality of Taicang as a thriving port hub.

What first captured the journalists' attention was China's first auto export pre-delivery inspection center at the port's main container terminal. This facility efficiently handles inspection, detailing, paint touch-ups, tire repairs, and parts replacement for vehicles, ensuring top-quality exports for commercial cars.

Chancay Port, one of the major projects co-built by China and Peru under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), shares a deep connection with Taicang Port. After opening in November 2024, Chancay Port welcomed its first cargo vessel departure from the site. Since then, maritime logistics costs between the two countries have been reduced by over 20 percent, establishing a cost-effective, efficient, green, and low-carbon freight route that further boosts BRI development in Peru.

In the first eight months of this year, the value of Taicang's exports to Peru exceeded 800 million yuan ($112.34 million), doubling that of the previous year. Key types of cargo include vehicles and engineering machinery such as cranes and dump trucks.

"Taicang is a dynamic city with advanced ports, openness and inclusiveness. Since I previously covered the construction of Chancay Port, I will continue to keep abreast of trade exchanges between China, Chancay Port, Peru, and Latin America, helping more people learn how the BRI has facilitated trade and promoted development in countries along the route," said a journalist from América Televisión, one of Peru's leading media outlets.