At the ongoing 138th Canton Fair in Guangzhou, south China, Peruvian entrepreneur Daniel Chuquimango attracted visitors’ attention in the service robot section by demonstrating a coffee-making robot capable of printing images on the surface of coffee. For the young businessman, it wasn’t just a presentation of new technology—it was also a symbol of growing China–Peru cooperation in innovation and trade.
Switching fluently between Chinese and Spanish, Chuquimango introduced the machine to potential clients. Originally from Cajamarca, Peru, he proudly wore a badge on his exhibitor pass marking his first trip to the Canton Fair back in 2019. Over six years, he has gone from a biotechnology student to a professional in foreign trade, bridging business ties between China and Latin America.
Chuquimango’s journey began with curiosity and courage. Noticing more Chinese companies investing in his hometown, he realized the importance of understanding the Chinese market. “Everyone around me was learning English, so I decided to do something different—to learn Chinese,” he recalled. In 2019, at just 22, he traveled alone to Guangdong University of Foreign Studies to study Chinese after completing his biotechnology degree.
When he first arrived in China, his Chinese vocabulary was limited to simple greetings. But with the help of local classmates who introduced him to Guangdong’s culture and markets, he gradually became fluent. He carried a small notebook everywhere, jotting down new words to study each night. The Canton Fair, he said, opened his eyes to the scale of Chinese commerce: “At this huge exhibition, you can find everything you want. It inspired me to pursue foreign trade as a career.”
After finishing his Chinese studies in 2021, he decided to pursue a master’s degree in international trade and later joined a company specializing in Latin American markets. “We help our clients find reliable suppliers in China,” he explained. His work now spans multiple industries—from clothing and lighting to consumer goods.
This year’s Canton Fair, which opened on October 15, has drawn strong interest to China’s fast-developing robotics industry, an area that fascinates Chuquimango. Among industrial, medical, and coffee robots on display, it was the coffee robot that captured his imagination the most. “Peru has a deep coffee culture, and my hometown is one of the country’s major producers. China’s advanced automation could bring new possibilities to our coffee industry,” he said. “By combining Peru’s quality beans with Chinese innovation, we can build stronger cooperation.”
Now based in Nansha, part of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, Chuquimango feels deeply connected to his second home. “Nansha is very open and international,” he said. “I’ve met friends from Russia, India, and Canada—we often discuss business ideas and cultural differences. It’s a community full of energy and opportunity.”
He often joins local volunteer and cultural exchange events, helping newcomers understand China’s business environment. “We love this land,” he smiled. “We’re not just visitors anymore—we’re part of the story.”
Meanwhile, Peru has strengthened its trade ties with China, opening new maritime routes such as the Chancay Port, which is becoming a hub for bilateral trade. Chuquimango’s family back home has noticed the difference too. “They say there are more Chinese products in local supermarkets now—electronics, home appliances, even food. My sister is also thinking about coming to China to study,” he said.
Looking ahead, Chuquimango plans to visit Peru later this year to share what he has learned in China. In the future, he hopes to start his own business—perhaps a trade company linking Peruvian and Chinese enterprises, or even a travel agency to bring more South Americans to explore China’s culture and opportunities.
“From biotechnology to foreign trade, and from Peru to China, every step has been an adventure,” he reflected. “The Belt and Road Initiative has given young people like me a platform to dream and connect. I want to keep being that bridge—linking China and Latin America through friendship, opportunity, and shared growth.”
