Security is tightening in Lima as Peru prepares to host world leaders at the APEC 2024 summit. Protests and strikes threaten to disrupt the forum, where 21 member states will discuss trade, tech and sustainability.
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00:00A city on standby. Security across the Peruvian capital city of Lima has been ramped up as
00:07delegations from around the world arrive for this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
00:13Forum, or APEC, and officials here are doing all they can to ensure that nothing disrupts
00:18the high-level gathering, deploying 15,000 troops across the city.
00:23We are sure that the joint work of the armed forces and the national police will result
00:32in a successful 2024 APEC Forum and an image of unity and strength that will be very positive
00:42for Peru and the world.
00:44The annual economic forum brings together 21 member states, representing around 40%
00:49of the world's population and 60% of the global GDP. And over the coming days, they'll
00:55meet here to discuss trade, tech and sustainability across continents. And coming for his last
01:01big international forum, US President Joe Biden, expected to meet with his Chinese counterpart
01:07Xi Jinping for the first time since last year's APEC summit.
01:11Also on the agenda, the future of China and Peru relations, as Xi is expected to inaugurate
01:17a megaport that will become one of the biggest trading ports in South America.
01:22Roads are blocked and security is tight here in Lima as all eyes turn to Peru, which now
01:28must juggle hosting one of the world's most consequential international conferences while
01:33dealing with potentially disruptive domestic unrest.
01:42There have been protests here since September over a rise in extortion and violent crimes
01:48that have left more than 10 people dead. Protesters are demanding the government does more to
01:53protect its civilians and are planning more demonstrations during the forum, prompting
01:58officials to order schools, universities and offices across Lima to close, with students
02:04and workers told to stay home to clear the streets for the high-level meetings.
02:10They said that the ministry and the bank's work will be virtual. We were shocked.
02:23It doesn't really affect us, on the contrary, it gives us more security because there's the police.
02:29I don't think it's going to happen. In some areas, it will happen.
02:35As Peru's government looks to make a good impression over the next week, the threat
02:39of strikes and protests remain, with union leaders deliberately panning them for the
02:44climax of this year's forum, saying it's an opportunity to highlight Peru's issues
02:49to the world, hoping that being on the international stage will prompt some changes on the domestic
02:55front. Scott Huang, Harrell Hughes and Rhys Ayres in Lima, Peru for Taiwan Plus.