MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III will not be among the several world leaders who will attend China's World War II victory parade on Thursday, September 3.
The country will be officially represented instead by Philippine Ambassador to China Erlinda Basilio, Assistant Foreign Affairs Secretary Charles Jose said in a text message.
Jose said the invitation received from China was for the Philippines and not specifically for Aquino.
Earlier reports said former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada will also attend the military parade.
China will celebrate on Thursday what it calls the Victory of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War, which marks the day after Japan formally surrendered to the Allies 70 years ago, marking the end of World War II.
The festivities in Beijing will be centered on a massive military parade featuring more than 12,000 troops, scores of warplanes and more than 500 pieces of hardware including tanks, artillery and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin, South Korean President Park Geun-hye and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon shine at the top of China's guest list for tomorrow's event.
However, there is an expected absence of high-level representatives from major Western democracies whose forces were key in the Allied victory, such as the United States, Britain, France and Australia.
China is not disappointed over the turnout.
"We have invited leaders of relevant countries to join the Chinese people to celebrate this great day. But it is their own decision. For us, we respect and welcome all guests," Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming said late last month.
Tomorrow's parade comes amid growing criticism over China's aggressive moves to assert its territorial claims in the South China Sea, including the creation of entirely new islands on atolls and coral reefs, complete with airstrips and berths for large naval vessels. - Louis Bacani, philstar.com with Christopher Bodeen, the Associated Press