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.
