Wednesday 31st August, 2011(Source: GMA News)
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and his 270-man delegation arrived in Beijing, China on Tuesday evening for a five-day, three-city visit in China.
A Malacañang statement on Wednesday said Aquino and his delegation arrived aboard a chartered Philippine Airlines PR-001 flight at 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Beijing Capital Airport.
The officials who welcomed Aquino were:
•Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin
•Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao
•Deputy Diector General of Protocol of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Die Bohua
•Philippine Embassy officials led by Charge d'Affaires ad interim Alex Chua, Minister and Consul Maria Teresa Almojuela, and First Secretary and Consul Noel Novicio.
From the airport, Aquino and his official delegation were brought to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse where he is billeted.
Aquino is scheduled to visit the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen.
"The Philippines-China economic and trade cooperation continues to serve as the engine that drives Philippine-China relations to greater heights," the Palace said.
It added China is the third largest trading partner of the Philippines, and the fastest growing source of tourists.
The Cabinet members who accompanied Aquino included secretaries Cesar Purisima (Finance), Rogelio Singson (Public Works), Voltaire Gazmin (Defense), Gregorio Domingo (Trade), Jose Rene Almendras (Energy), Manuel Roxas II (Transportation), presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, and Presidential Adviser on International Relations Domingo Lee.
The businessmen who were with the President were:
•John Gokongwei Jr., founder and chairman emeritus of JG Summit Holdings Inc
•Washington Sysip, founding chairman of SGV and Co.
•Jose Pardo, chairman of the PCCI Council of Business Leaders
•Tony Tan Caktiong, chairman and chief executive officer of Jollibee Foods Corporation
•Antonio Cojuangco, chairman of the Nabasan Subic Development Corp.
•George Ty, Group chairman of Metrobank
•Teresita Sy Coson, co-chairperson of SM Investments Corporation
•Carlos Chan, chairman of Liwayway Holdings
•Ramon Ang, president and chief executive officer of San Miguel Corporation
•Manuel Pangilinan, chairman of PLDT Co.
•Lucio Tan, founder, group chairman of Lucio Tan Group of Companies
•Andrew Tan, chairman of Allied group Inc. (Megaworld)
•Erramon Aboitiz, president and chief executive officer of Aboitiz Equity Ventures
•Alfredo Yao, chairman Zesto Corporation
•Tan Ching, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry
•Francis Chua, president of PCUU and PCBC. - VVP, GMA News