MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino yesterday confirmed his attendance at the 10th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, China on Sept. 3, which aims to enhance economic and trade cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Aquino’s visit will come at a time when China and the Philippines are locked in a maritime dispute over the West Philippine Sea.
Recently, however, Aquino and his officials have not issued strong statements regarding the dispute, citing the arbitration case filed by the Philippines before the United Nations.
Aquino himself announced his trip before delivering his speech for the Apolinario Mabini Awards held at Malacañang.
“You may be surprised, I will travel next week. It’s quite a long trip to China. I will leave at 5 in the morning (and) will be back at 5 in the afternoon. I don’t want to overstay our welcome there,†Aquino quipped.
The Philippines is the “country of honor†this year at the expo and the invitation for Aquino to attend the event was extended last year.
There are reports that Aquino will meet with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang on “matters of mutual interest†since the Chinese leader invited him.
The CAEXPO “country of honor†last year was Myanmar and Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II was sent by the President as special envoy.
Roxas was received by then China Vice President Xi Jinping, now Chinese president, at the height of the Panatag Shoal standoff.
Chinese and ASEAN government officials, business leaders and scholars are expected to attend the event.
“This is one proof of the multi-faceted relationship with China. We’re focusing now on trade and the economic agenda,†presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said earlier.
Since the focus is on trade and economy, Lacierda said the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea between China and the Philippines would not likely be tackled.
“Our concern with the West Philippine Sea is already being handled in the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) arbitral tribunal. The discussions on that area with respect to our situation in the West Philippine Sea has been reserved to the arbitral tribunal to decide,†Lacierda said.