China’s President Xi Jinping to Inaugurate Peru’s Megaport Amid Local Discontent

China’s President Xi Jinping to Inaugurate Peru’s Megaport Amid Local Discontent

A once-sleepy fishing village in Peru is undergoing a dramatic transformation as the $1.3 billion Chancay mega port nears completion. During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum on Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to inaugurate the project, which is primarily owned by the Chinese shipping giant Cosco and is expected to transform trade between South America and Asia.

Despite its ambitions, the port has sparked resentment among Chancay’s 60,000 residents, many of whom feel excluded from the touted economic benefits. Fishermen lament the loss of breeding grounds and diminished catches following the dredging of a 17-meter-deep shipping channel.

“We’ve lost our fishing spots,” said 78-year-old Julius Caesar, a local fisherman. “I don’t blame the Chinese. I blame our government for failing to protect us.”

The Peruvian government hopes the port will serve as a strategic transshipment hub, boosting exports such as blueberries, soybeans, and copper while generating millions in revenue. Officials also envision special economic zones to attract investment, with Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer affirming the project’s focus on Peruvians’ well-being.

However, locals report worsening conditions. Fisherman Rafael Ávila described venturing farther to find fish, needing a larger boat he can’t afford. Tourism and businesses have also suffered; diminished fish stocks and altered water currents have left the town’s seafood restaurants and surfing spots desolate.

Environmental concerns compound the discontent. Residents fear pollution and potential oil spills, recalling the 2022 La Paz refinery disaster that devastated Peru’s waters and fisheries. “This port is a monster that’s come here to screw us,” said Rosa Collantes, a local fish seller.

Cosco representatives acknowledged the disparity between the port’s modernity and Chancay’s poverty, where many lack access to clean water, sewage, or adequate healthcare. The company is conducting studies to address local inequality, with manager Mario de las Casas stating, “The port should not be a blemish.”

As global attention turns to the project’s inauguration, Chancay residents remain sceptical of promises for inclusion and sustainability in a development reshaping their town’s identity.