Aquino opens China visit Aug. 30

BY REGINA BENGCO

PRESIDENT Aquino will go on a state visit to China from August 30 to September 3 on the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

The visit is expected to strengthen relations which have been affected by the territorial dispute at the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said a large delegation of 250 to 300 businessmen, most of them Chinese-Filipinos, will accompany Aquino and Cabinet members to Beijing and Xiamen.

"They were more than eager to join. In fact, we had to trim down the list. There were over 400 who volunteered to join the delegation but the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) is trimming it down to 250 to 300. But the list is not yet final," Lacierda said.

He also said there is a great interest among Chinese businessmen to invest in the Philippines.

The Philippines and China will be organizing business talks in Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen.

Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said among the highlights of the visit are enhancing the Joint Action Plan on Strategic Cooperation which was signed on 29 October 2009 and the signing of the Philippines-China Five-Year Development Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Aquino and Hu are also expected to discuss the dispute over the Spratly islands and the proposed Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement. At least 200 Filipinos are serving time in jails in China.