PNoy to visit China late August

President Benigno Aquino III will be paying a five-day state visit to the People’s Republic of China later this month upon the invitation of President Hu Jintao, but it is not clear yet if the dispute on Spratlys Islands will be discussed. The state visit will be from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3, according to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Raul Hernandez in a statement. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda confirmed this at a press briefing in Malacañang. Both Hernandez and Lacierda said the state visit will strengthen the over three decades of friendship and mutually beneficial relations between the Philippines and China. "There would be better relations in terms of trade, economic, and cultural exchanges. Again, we believe we have several levels of friendship with them and so we would like to foster and strengthen this relationship with China," Lacierda said. Asked if the issue on Spratlys will be brought up during the state visit, Lacierda said he does not know. "I don't know the exact agenda of the DFA on that aspect. We will confirm with the DFA," he said. Tension recently rose between the two countries after the Philippines accused China of intruding into its territory, particularly the part of the Spratlys that was near Palawan province. Hernandez said the President will be holding his first summit meeting with President Hu Jintao, which is expected to raise the level of Philippines-China bilateral relations to its highest level. The visit is also expected to promote a people-centered partnership that will push for more trade, investment, media, culture, education and tourism exchanges between the two nation. The visit will also showcase the Philippines as an attractive and profitable business destination. Hernandez said among the highlights of the visit would be the focus on enhancing the Joint Action Plan on Strategic Cooperation signed on October 29, 2009 and the signing of the Philippines-China Five-Year Development Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation. Hernandez said a large Philippine business delegation will accompany the President to look into enhancing reciprocal investment, trade and tourism opportunities. Lacierda said the list of delegation has yet to be finalized as the Department of Trade and Industry needs to trim down the number of businessmen who want to join. "There were over 400 who… volunteered to join the delegation but I think the DTI is trimming it down to 250 to 300, but the list is not yet final," he said. The businessmen, Lacierda said, will come from different industries. Hernandez said the Philippines and China will be organizing business fora in Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen for this purpose. — KBK, GMA News