Arroyo in Beijing; seals deal with No. 2 China carmaker

MANILA, Philipines - China's second largest car manufacturer will start exporting its line of low-priced consumer vehicles to the Philippines in five months but can start as early as Valentine's Day, Malacañang said Thursday. A Palace statement said Dongfeng Motor Corp. deputy general manager Tong Dong Chen made the pledge at a call on President Arroyo at the Donghu Hotel Thursday afternoon. Arroyo went to Wuhan City in Hubei province before going to Beijing to attend the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Friday. The Palace statement said Arroyo had proposed to Tong that Dongfeng Motor start exporting its affordable line of consumer vehicles to enable more Filipinos to own a car. She told Tong Dongfeng's vehicles could enter the Philippines through the Cagayan port in the northern part of the country, which is nearest to China. Also, she said the law prohibiting the entry and sale of second-hand imported cars will be fully enforced and thus end the lucrative but illegal sale of these automobiles. "Responding favorably to the President's proposal, Tong said the first shipment of his company's semi-knocked down (SKD) vehicles would be made in five months," the Palace statement said. "Good!" Arroyo responded. "We will make a date on Valentine's Day to receive your first shipment," she added. ASEM President Arroyo arrived at the Beijing Capital International Airport Thursday afternoon to participate in the two-day 7th Asia-Europe Leaders' Meeting (ASEM). A Malacañang statement said Arroyo and a "lean" delegation arrived on board a chartered Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight amid a chilly autumn afternoon. Her delegation includes secretaries Alberto Romulo (foreign affairs), Peter Favila (trade), and Jesus Dureza (press secretary and presidential spokesman). Arroyo flew in to Beijing from Wuhan in Hubei province. The Palace statement said she cut short her visit to Wuhan to participate in the Asean + 3 leaders' working dinner meeting at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Beijing Thursday night. Earlier, she proposed for Asean + 3 to convene on the sidelines of the ASEM Summit to tackle the impact of the current credit crunch and discuss measures in the event of a fallout. Following Thursday night's meeting is an Asean + 3 breakfast meeting Friday before the opening of the biennial ASEM Summit. Earlier, Arroyo had a working stopover in Wuhan City to discuss with government officials and business leaders measures to further expand Chinese-Philippine relations. The Philippine delegation arrived Thursday morning after a three-hour flight from Manila.- GMANews.TV