Philippine President to pay 5-day state visit to China

Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III will pay a state visit to China on August 30 to September 3, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Thursday. DFA Spokesman Raul Hernandez said the President's visit, at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, aims to strengthen the over three decades friendship and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries. "The President will be holding his first summit meeting with President Hu Jintao which is expected to raise the level of Philippines-China bilateral relation to its highest level," Hernandez said. He added that Aquino's visit is expected to promote a people- centered partnership that will push for more trade, investment, media, culture, education and tourism exchanges between both sides. The visit will also showcase the Philippines as an attractive and profitable business destination. Among the highlights of the visit are the focus on enhancing the Joint Action Plan on Strategic Cooperation signed in October 2009 and the signing of the Philippines-China Five-Year Development Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation. A large Philippine business delegation will accompany the President to look into enhancing reciprocal investment, trade and tourism opportunities, Hernandez said. The Philippines and China will be organizing business fora in Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen for this purpose.