Cooperation between Peru and China represents a path toward mutual benefit and common development, said a top Peruvian lawmaker.

The West's lack of interest in Latin America resulted in lost opportunities, while Peru began to bolster exchanges with China and other Asia-Pacific countries over the past decade, National Congress President Fredy Otarola Penaranda told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The shift has allowed Peru to take a qualitative leap forward, with China becoming one of Peru's biggest trade partners and Peru playing an important role in China's ties with Latin America, said Otarola.

"Currently, the (Peru-China) relationship is at its best since diplomatic ties were established in 1971," he said, adding that the ties with China are essential to the future of the South American country.

Peru and China have great potential in economic and trade cooperation, particularly in agriculture, fishing and mining, said the lawmaker.

The South American nation looks to China for technology transfer to boost its industrial transformation and improve its export structure with added value to its commodities, he said.

Tourism is another important area for cooperation since both countries boast vast cultural wealth such as archeological sites. The two countries are both rich in wildlife, said Otarola, who called for opening direct air links and streamlining visa procedures between the two nations.