In the afternoon on 26 August 2011, the Philippine President Benigno Aquino had a group interview at the Presidential Palace with 7 Chinese journalists respectively from Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily, China Central Television Station, China Daily, Guangming Daily, China Radio International and China News Service.

President Aquino answered questions ranging from China-Philippines relations, bilateral economic and trade ties to China-ASEAN relations, South China Sea issue and China’s role in regional affairs.

President Aquino expressed his confidence in the inherent strength within China-Philippines relations and believed that a close and strong bilateral relationship between the two countries would benefit both. He hoped that the two sides could work together for a more mature bilateral relationship between the two countries so that China and the Philippines could become not only friends, but bosom friends and old friends.

President Aquino said that a 300-strong business group would travel with him to China. China and the Philippines enjoy complementarity in terms of economic cooperation and trade and have great potential to tap in this regard. He hoped to promote bilateral economic ties through his visit.

On the South China Sea issue, President Aquino pointed out that the Philippine and Chinese sides hope to resolve the issue through peaceful means. Both sides knew well the interests of their own while trying to safeguard national interests respectively. A confrontation in the disputed area does not conform to the interests of both parties.

Please see the attached transcript of the group interview.