China 'eager to welcome' PNoy, says envoy

The Chinese government is "eager to welcome" President Benigno Aquino III as he begins his state visit to China tomorrow, the Chinese ambassador to Manila said Monday. In his letter to Aquino, Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao said the Philippine President's visit "has been long expected" by the two countries, and that it should mark yet another milestone in China-Philippine relations. The highlight of Aquino's visit includes the three economic and trade forums in Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen, Liu said, which should further strengthen the economic ties between the two nations. "Dynamic and promising" "While the Philippine economy is taking off, China is ready to add strength to its wings," he stressed, adding that the partnership between the two countries is "dynamic and promising." Liu said Aquino's visit would make this message heard in a more convincing way to the citizens of the two countries. Among the issues to be discussed by Aquino and Chinese President Hu Jintao are trade, investment, media, culture and tourism. Liu did not mention, however, if the heads of state will finally settle the row on conflicting ownership claims over the Spratly Islands, as well as the hostage-taking of a tourist bus in Manila last year which left eight Hong Kong tourists dead and lent a sour note the two nations' relations. To date, Aquino refused to issue an apology to the relatives of the victims of the hostage tragedy, saying the incident was the "act of one man" alone. The Philippine government is asking Hong Kong to lift its travel ban to the Philippines as a result of last year’s hostage-taking incident. Survivors and relatives of the victims earlier urged President Hu to take the matter up with Aquino during the state visit. — JMT/VS, GMA News