MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III said Tuesday that he is willing to have bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the culmination of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings next month.
Aquino said the Philippines has formally sent invitations to Xi to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) in Manila on November 18 and 19.
"Currently, there is no schedule for a bilateral talk, but we are very open to it," Aquino said.
Amid China's increasing aggression in the West Philippine Sea, Aquino said he would want to discuss about stability during his possible meeting with Xi.
"All our governments are supposed to be there for the improvement of the lot of our people, improvement in their lives, and this can only happen if there’s stability. So if there is a central message that would be that I would want to convey," he said.
Aquino also maintained that the Philippines and China should continue improving their economic ties despite an ongoing territorial dispute.
"The Chinese side has also pointed out the very long relationship. And obviously, it profits both to really be able to manage the issues that have a conflict between the two parties, and go back to a concentration on that which can be beneficial for both sides," the president said.
Aquino and Xi are among the 21 heads of state who are expected to attend the AELM. Aquino said the Philippines has not received confirmation as to who will be joining the event.
The president said he would meet with all visiting chief executives. He said some leaders have indicated that they want to hold bilateral discussions with him.
"I'd like to be the perfect host to all of my counterparts including the observer, and in the two days, primarily, obviously I will try to engage all 21 in fruitful conversations," Aquino said.
The spotlight is expected to be on his possible meeting with Xi as their countries continue to be embroiled in a long-standing territorial dispute in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines has filed an arbitration case before an international tribunal to question China's so-called nine-dash line claim in the contested waters.
China, on the other hand, recently completed its island-building activities on disputed reefs to assert its territorial claims.
Aquino had criticized China's maritime aggression, even comparing it to the imperialism of Nazi Germany before the outbreak of World War II.