Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Lima on Wednesday for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, part of a three-nation swing aimed at building clout in Latin America.

Hu arrived from Cuba after earlier visiting Costa Rica. He was met with an honor guard before holding talks with Peruvian President Alan Garcia.

At the weekend he is to attend the annual meeting of the 21-member APEC group.

His trip comes as China -- which has dramatically stepped up its economic and political diplomacy worldwide -- sets its sights on the emerging economies of Latin America.