LIMA: President Hu Jintao on Thursday called for a new era of cooperation with Latin America, saying the world's largest developing country and the major developing region should unite more closely.

In an address to the Peruvian Congress during a state visit, Hu said China intended to add further momentum to already rapidly growing economic and other ties with Latin America and the Caribbean.

"Development is the most pressing task for both China and Latin America," Hu said, adding that China is willing to work together with the region toward an equal, mutually beneficial and comprehensive cooperative partnership.