Wednesday, August 06, 2008 Arroyo to leave for China for bilateral meet
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would leave Thursday for her three-day visit to Chengdu and Beijing in China, which would be highlighted by her bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Hu Jintao and her attendance to the opening of the 20th Olympics on August 8.
Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said Arroyo, who would leave at 7 a.m. Thursday, would also visit Sichaun, the capital of Chengdu, which was recently hit by an earthquake, to personally convey the sympathies of Filipinos to the victims.
Dureza said Arroyo is set to visit the earthquake site Thursday afternoon before proceeding to Beijing where she is tentatively set to have dinner with the Philippine Team which would be led by WBC super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao, who would carry the Philippine Flag during the opening ceremonies.
"What is the objective of the President's visit? Principally, to attend the opening ceremonies of the 20th summer Olympics because this sports event is a major international event. She will be with 80 other heads of state," he said.
Dureza said even United States President George W. Bush would attend the opening of the Olympics "because they feel that this event is something that convey the unity of the world around sports."
He said the presence of Arroyo, aside from Pacquiao, is expected to make Filipinos in China, including Team Philippines, happy, as "the highest accolade you can give to the sports world (is the) presence of our President there."
Dureza said the most important part of the Beijing visit, however, is the bilateral talks between Arroyo and Hu, which the Chinese government has requested.
"She will be holding a bilateral meeting with President Hu Jintao. We all know that China is one of the biggest markets now, one of the most booming economies in the world, and so the Philippines must really take advantage of this opportunity for our products, for the high consuming demand of China, with more than one billion people," he added.
Asked if the NorthRail project with China is also expected to be tackled in the bilateral meeting, Dureza said he does "not think so. It's not in our radar screen".
The press secretary, however, said Arroyo may have a chance to talk to other world leaders that would attend the ceremonies, including Bush.
"There is more beyond than just attending the opening and be there and see the colorful event of the opening. There's a lot behind it. Investments, and of course, one of the biggest support we can give to our Olympic team," he said.
Dureza and Presidential Management Staff director general Cerge Remonde also defended the visit of Arroyo to China which they said is only for a couple of days and would include a "very lean delegation."
Remonde added that Arroyo could not help but attend the opening ceremony, which is an "important international event" which is taking place in a "neighboring country like China which is geopolitically as important in the whole gamut of our international relations as with the US."
"China is also a very major trading partner of the Philippines. People have to understand that this is part of the obligation of a head of state and a head of government such as President Arroyo," he said.
Arroyo is expected to return to Manila on August 9.
The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chmabers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) expressed full support for Arroyo's trip, which they believe would help strengthen the diplomatic and economic ties between the Philippines and China.
FFCCCII president John Tan said the President's attendance to the Beijing Olympics would provide encouragement to the Filipino athletes participating and give importance to its friendship with China.
"The visit will also pave the way for more investments in the Philippines with the scheduled business meetings between the Philippine delegation and Chinese businessmen. We believe this will greatly promote economic cooperation and exchanges between our two countries," Tan said. (JMR/Sunnex)
