Chinese president to attend APEC meeting in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Was the Chinese ambassador giving a hint that Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit in Manila in November?

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua on Friday assured Manila of China’s support for the Philippines’ hosting of the APEC meet despite the two nations’ not seeing eye to eye on many issues.

Zhao said China would continue to promote economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the establishment of a free trade area to facilitate regional development.

“Last year, China successfully hosted the APEC meetings. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Philippines and all other economies for their positive contribution,” he said.

“China will continue to support the Philippines for the smooth and successful hosting of the coming APEC meetings,” Zhao said at the reception for the 66th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

China and the Philippines, he said, are not only neighbors, but are close relatives as well with their shared history of friendly exchanges for more than a millennium. “We should and we can be better friends and better partners,” he said.

“I am optimistic about the future of our bilateral relations. We may not be able to see eye to eye on some issues, what matters most is that we seek common interests by fostering and strengthening friendship and cooperation,” Zhao added.

As the two countries celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations, he said the solid foundation of their comprehensive and fruitful partnership should be remembered.

Zhao said China is ready to work with other countries for the building of a new type of international relations aimed at achieving common development and shared security.

The ambassador noted that China has been a participant, a builder and a contributor to the forging of an international system that is based on the purposes and principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter.

China has refused to participate in the case filed by the Philippines with the UN arbitral  tribunal in The Hague challenging Beijing’s expansive and excessive claims in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines, the first country to question China’s nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea, is seeking arbitration in its maritime dispute with China, whose officials have talked about “salami-slicing” and “cabbage” strategy to consolidate the Asian power’s de facto control over the disputed waters.