Peru’s president refuses to step down as secret China meetings fuel ‘Chifagate’ scandal

President Jose Jeri of Peru has vowed not to resign despite rising pressure over a widening scandal involving undisclosed meetings with Chinese businessmen, as opposition lawmakers say the affair has damaged public trust and senior officials insist no illegal acts took place.The controversy, known in Peruvian media as “Chifagate”, a reference to Chinese-Peruvian cuisine, centres on late-night encounters at a Chinese restaurant and a wholesale shop in Lima. The meetings were not recorded on the official agenda as required, triggering questions about transparency and presidential conduct.Jeri came to power in October after the removal of Dina Boluarte. He was serving as president of Congress and assumed the presidency through constitutional succession, with his term unfolding amid ongoing political instability and repeated changes of leadership in recent years.The scandal began when television programmes aired footage showing the president arriving at a Chinese restaurant in the San Borja district shortly before midnight on December 26. He appeared with his head covered, accompanied by Interior Minister Vicente Tiburcio.08:02Uncertainty surrounds Peru’s new Chinese-built Chancay megaport Uncertainty surrounds Peru’s new Chinese-built Chancay megaport The restaurant belongs to Zhihua Yang, a Chinese businessman known as Johnny, who has operated in Peru for more than two decades in sectors ranging from security to construction.