PNoy to visit China to ease sea dispute?

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Wednesday neither confirmed nor denied reports that President Benigno Aquino III would attend an event in China on September 3.

At a televised press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Philippines will host the 10th ASEAN-China Expo (CAEXPO) and a local delegation will be sent. But he cannot say if the President will also go.

"We'll wait for the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) to confirm. We haven't received any word from them yet,"  said Lacierda at a televised press briefing.

On Wednesday, a Vera Files report cited Palace and DFA sources saying that Aquino is going to China, a move seen to ease territorial dispute with the Asian giant which is pressing its sovereignty over the entire West Philippine Sea.

Lacierda said whether or not the President would attend the event, the main purpose of his visit would be to strengthen economic relations with China and not to ease tensions in the territorial dispute.

"This is primarily a trade and economic event. Our relationship with China is not limited to the West Philippine Sea. We've always said that our relationship with China is multi-faceted. We're focusing now on trade and economic agenda," Lacierda said.

The Philippines is the “country of honor” at this year’s CAEXPO scheduled from September 3 to 6.