When Hu Jintao, China's president, arrives in Lima today for the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation forum he will be accompanied by the biggest delegation.

Twelve ministers and almost 600 business leaders and support staff are escorting the Chinese premier, who is poised to sign a bilateral trade agreement that could see China overtake the US as Peru's main trading partner. The scale of China's delegation underscores expectations in the region about the country's future role.