Aquino will have his first talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao during the Aug. 30-Sept. 3 visit, said Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez.

The trip seeks increased trade, investment, culture, tourism and other exchanges between the countries, Hernandez said.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Aquino’s delegation will include about 300 mostly Chinese-Filipino businessmen.

Aquino is to address business forums in Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen to showcase the Philippines as an investment destination.

The two sides are also expected to sign a five-year agreement on trade and economic cooperation, Hernandez said.

In addition to the economic and trade issues that will dominate the trip, Aquino’s talks with Hu will also address the “West Philippine Sea,” the name Manila uses to refer to the South China Sea, a government document on the visit said. Beijing claims the entire South China Sea, including the potentially oil-rich Spratly Islands that are claimed in part by Manila.

The document, seen by The Associated Press, does not specify the issues in the conflict that Aquino will bring up. However, it is likely he will urge Beijing to reconsider a proposal to bring the territorial dispute to a UN tribunal.

China has insisted that the dispute be settled bilaterally.

Aquino also plans to visit Hongjian village in Fujian province, the home of the great-grandfather of his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino.