GMA off to Shanghai Tuesday

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo is leaving for Shanghai, China on Tuesday to attend the Philippine Day of the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

The President is scheduled to depart before 6 p.m. Tuesday for what could be her final overseas trip before she steps down from office this June 30.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo will accompany the President to China.

Carrying the theme “Better City, Better Life,” the Shanghai World Expo 2010 aims to promote the common goal of having enhanced urban environments.

It encourages a harmonious blend of diverse cultures, economic prosperity, innovation and technology, sustainable communities and healthy interaction between urban and rural areas.

The Shanghai World Expo 2010 started last May 1 and would last until Oct. 31.

The President would spend only one day in Shanghai and should be back in the country early Thursday morning.

Sources told The STAR the President is a guest of the Chinese government and a senior Chinese official will call on her.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao said China-Philippines ties have developed to a remarkable degree into a relationship based on strategic cooperation for peace and development.

“The past 35 years witnessed political trust continuously enhanced between our two countries, trade increased by a huge margin, economic cooperation expanded in various fields with concrete results, cultural exchanges significantly enriched and mutual understanding between the two peoples greatly deepened. It’s fair, by all means, to say that China-Philippine relations are enjoying solid foundation, good momentum and broad prospects,” Liu said.

The ambassador added that the bridge of friendship between the two countries stands firm and steady.

“China looks forward to the future with a sense of commitment to march with the Philippines in the attainment of peace and prosperity,” he said.

Mrs. Arroyo has been criticized in the past for her frequent travels abroad and the cost these entail on taxpayers.

Last year alone, the President went on 18 foreign trips. After being criticized by the opposition last year for going over the budget allocated for presidential foreign trips by more than P1 billion, Malacañang disclosed that around P2.5 billion was spent for the local and foreign travels of the President from 2001 to August 2009.

Malacañang has defended the expenses by saying that these trips have generated over $7 billion in investments for the country.

Aside from attracting new investments, Malacañang said the President was able to enhance diplomatic relations with the host governments, elicit support for the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and ensure the welfare of overseas Filipino workers. - With Pia Lee-Brago