Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit Peru and Brazil next week for high-profile meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the G20, according to Beijing’s foreign ministry. Xi will be in Lima from November 13 to 17, attending the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and making a state visit. He’ll then travel to Rio de Janeiro from November 17 to 21 to participate in the G20 summit.

Xi’s visit underscores China’s strong trade relationship with Brazil, its largest South American trading partner, with over $180 billion in trade this year. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has maintained a balancing act in foreign relations, working to strengthen economic ties with China while also improving relations with the U.S.

Brazil and China both aim to position themselves as potential mediators in the Ukraine conflict, notably refraining from imposing sanctions on Russia. Earlier this year, Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin’s visit to China was viewed as a step toward Brazil’s potential involvement in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an infrastructure project central to China’s global influence. Peru and other South American nations are already involved in the BRI, reflecting China’s growing presence in the region.