‘No link between sea row and Chinese leader’s APEC attendance’

ARTECHE, Eastern Samar, Philippines – There is no reason to relate the West Philippine Sea dispute with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s decision to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the country next month, President Aquino said yesterday.

Aquino, who was here to attend the 50th Founding Anniversary of Eastern Samar and the road projects implemented in this province up to Northern Samar, told reporters after the event that the APEC was a separate issue.

He said the sea dispute was just one aspect of the country’s relations with China and this should not be the sole basis of whether the Chinese leader should go to Manila for APEC.

The Philippines will host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on Nov. 18 to 19.

Aquino said he was not yet briefed on whom the Chinese government would be sending for the APEC summit here.

Aquino said Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, who was suffering from a mild ailment, would be making the necessary announcements and brief the media on developments with regard to APEC by next week.