Aquino confirms meeting with Chinese officials

President Benigno Aquino III confirmed on Tuesday that he will to meet with officials of the Chinese embassy in Manila who will convey the message of Chinese President Hu Jintao. Aquino did not reveal details of the scheduled meeting in Malacañang at around 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday. The meeting is not open for media coverage. Aquino said Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao and assistant foreign minister Liu Zhenmin requested for the meeting. “They asked for a meeting. I understand there is a message from President Hu Jintao," Aquino told reporters in an interview with reporters after his visit to Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project onshore gas plant in Tabangao, Batangas. Aquino also confirmed that he is set to have a state visit in China within the year. He said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Chinese foreign officials are still arranging the schedule. "So far it's (state visit) still a go. You have to ask the DFA (for the date)," he said. - VVP, GMA News