President Aquino arrives in Shanghai

Following a successful visit in Beijing, President Benigno Aquino III arrived in Shanghai Thursday night for the second phase of his five-day, three-city state visit to China. A Malacañang statement said Aquino’s chartered PR-001 flight arrived at the Hongqiao International Airport around 7:30 p.m. from Beijing. "On hand to meet Aquino were Li Mingjun, Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office; and Philippine Consul General to Shanghai Charles Jose," a new release from the Presidential Communications Operations Office. From the airport, he proceeded to the Shangri-la Hotel in the Pudong district, where he is billeted during his stay, before beginning a hectic, whole-day schedule highlighted by the Philippine–Eastern China Business Forum at 10 a.m. Friday. In Beijing, Aquino had met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Chinese businessmen. While in Shanghai, Aquino is to witness a signing ceremony between the CEO of Chinese hotel chain Jinjiang Group and the Filipino-Chinese owner of Liwayway Marketing Corporation, who will call on him at 11 a.m. Aquino will then proceed to the Hengshan Picardie Hotel for a luncheon hosted by the Mayor of Shanghai, Han Zheng. In the afternoon, he will meet with Chinese investors from Luen Thai Private Group and Huwawei Business Group executives before going on a site visit of Liwayway Marketing Corp’s manufacturing plant there. He will cap the day by meeting with members of the Filipino community who have been eagerly awaiting his arrival. — LBG, GMA News