Arroyo: visit to China highly successful

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said on Tuesday that her state visit to China was highly successful with some "breakthroughs" made in the agreements concerning the South China Sea and military and security cooperation

Invited to speak at a breakfast forum organized by the local press organization Manila Overseas Club, Arroyo said she was happy with the visit from Sept. 1 to 3 to China, which she described as "a very very good trip" and "very worthwhile."

She said that with five government agreements and business agreements signed, bilateral relations have enjoyed a big step forward, citing the agreement between Manila and Beijing to keep high-level visits and prepare for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year.

She said that the two governments also agreed to facilitate visa-issuing process because the Philippines wishes to have China as its "number one tourist guest," as China is a potential huge market for tourism of the country.

As for the South China Sea issue, Arroyo said that the first step has been made to make that area from "an area of conflict" into "an area of cooperation," with both sides agreeing to tap the perspective of jointly developing oil and fishing resources there in line with an agreement between China and ASEAN to solve territorial disputes in a peaceful way.

"This is the first time a declaration has been made for implementing (the China-ASEAN agreement)," she said.

Arroyo again expressed her appreciation for China providing a loan to build a railway in the Luzon region, northern Philippines, which will enable the region to quicken economic and social development and to "de-congest" Metro Manila overburdened with a large population.

She also praised China's Hebei Province for investing in a glass plant project and an iron and ore plant.

On the agreement about military and security cooperation, Arroyo said that the two countries will first of all set up a framework for such cooperation, which she said would not result in any disadvantage to any third country.

Arroyo also highly evaluated the holding of the Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) in Beijing from Sept. 3 to 5, at which she made a key-note speech.

"With 350 participants and 300 journalists covering the event, the conference has been one of prestige and influence," she said.

She said the ICAPP has been growing in a fashion similar to that of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ever since its concept was first presented in 1987.