Aquino meets with China foreign minister

MANILA, Philippines - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a courtesy call on President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday.

Wang visited Aquino in Malacañang at 11 a.m. after meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario earlier this morning.

Wang is taking his first working visit to the Philippines upon Del Rosario's invitation.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said Wang will compare notes with Filipino officials on the planned attendance of President Xi Jinping to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting next week.

Hong said Wang will also exchange views with Filipino officials on how to improve the relationship between China and the Philippines amid the ongoing West Philippine Sea or South China Sea dispute.

"The bilateral relationship is beset by difficulties due to reasons known to all. This is not what the Chinese side wants to see," Hong said in a press briefing on Monday.

"The Chinese side attaches importance to its relationship with the Philippines and stays committed to properly resolving relevant issues through consultations and negotiations," he added.

Wong maintained his country's position that Manila should compromise with Beijing.

"It is hoped that the Philippine side will meet China halfway, implement the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries during last year's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, constructively handle relevant issues and create atmosphere and conditions for the return of bilateral relations to the right course of development," he said.

Metro Manila will be hosting on November 18 and 19 the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting which is expected to be attended by the heads of states of all 21 APEC member economies.

Aquino earlier said that he is "very open" to have a bilateral meeting with Xi and discuss about stability.

"All our governments are supposed to be there for the improvement of the lot of our people, improvement in their lives, and this can only happen if there's stability. So if there is a central message that would be that I would want to convey," Aquino said.

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