03/24/2011 | 05:21 PM
Amid the looming execution of three Filipinos found guilty of drug trafficking in China, the governments of the Philippines and China are working out a state visit of President Benigno Aquino III to the country’s giant neighbor to the north.
Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao said Beijing is looking forward to the visit of Aquino to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Liu said Chinese President Hu Jintao has already sent a formal invitation to President Aquino for the state visit.
“We’re still working on this. We hope he’ll be in China as soon as possible because we’re really going to take this chance as a perfect opportunity to strengthen our bilateral relations," he told reporters after attending an event at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.
“Our relations are in very good shape so we want to make it more profitable and beneficial to the peoples of our two countries," he added.
Liu expressed hope that the impending executions of Ramon Credo, Elizabeth Batain and Sally Ordinario-Villanueva will not adversely affect Manila-Beijing relations.
Earlier, he appealed to the Filipino people to understand that the executions have to push through in accordance with China’s laws.
“I hope our leadership will work hard together to bring our relations into a very bright future," Liu said.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda refused to confirm the state visit to China, saying there is no concrete plan for it yet.
“Ang protocol kasi, Department of Foreign Affairs na po ang maga-announce. Up until now, wala pa namang concrete plan e, hindi pa pulido iyong plano. So hayaan na muna nating iyong dalawa, Chinese embassy at DFA, ang mag-usap," he said at a press briefing in Malacanang.
(The protocol is that, it should be the DFA who will announce. Up until now, there are no concrete plans yet, and the plan is still in the rough. So let’s just wait while the two sides, the Chinese embassy and the DFA, discuss about it.)