On 24 August 2011, H.E. Liu Jianchao, the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, held a press roundtable with more than 100 journalists and reporters from the Philippine media, Manila branches of the Chinese media and foreign press. Ambassador Liu mainly briefed them on the upcoming state visit to China by H.E. President Benigno Aquino from 30 August to 3 September 2011.

Ambassador Liu said that the visit would be the first-ever one by President Aquino himself to the Chinese mainland, the first visit to China after his assumption of office as President of the Philippines, and the first state visit by him outside the ASEAN countries. The Chinese and Philippine sides attach great importance to the visit and are working closely together with all preparations so as to make sure that the visit would turn out a complete success.

Ambassador Liu said that Mr. President would attend three forums on China-Philippines trade and economic cooperation respectively in Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen. This is really an unprecedented arrangement for a state visit, which stands proof to common aspirations of the two countries to deepen China-Philippine economic and trade ties. The Philippine Government is concentrating on boosting economic growth and improving well-being of its people. The Chinese side stands ready to contribute its support and assistance to this regard.

Ambassador Liu also took from the floor questions on expectations and deliverables of the visit, China-Philippines economic ties, China-Philippines judicial cooperation, South China Sea issue and the anniversary of August 23 hostage-taking incident.

After the roundtable, Ambassador Liu also gave exclusive interviews to the reporters from China Central Television Station and China News Service on President Aquino’s visit.