It’s official: Obama attending APEC Summit in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - United States President Barack Obama will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit next month in the Philippines, Washington announced yesterday.

This will be Obama’s second trip to the Philippines in over two years. In April last year, Obama paid a two-day state visit to the Philippines and witnessed the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the legality of which is still being reviewed by the Supreme Court.

There is talk that Obama wants to play basketball with Filipino children if time will allow it but there is no official confirmation about this supposed request.

Meanwhile, President Aquino promises to be a “perfect host” to Chinese President Xi Jinping should he decide to attend the APEC Summit in the country next month along with other heads of state, including President Obama.

Sources said the Chinese have communicated with the Philippines regarding its participation in the four-day event and have not given the impression that Xi would not be coming.

“I will try to engage all 21 in fruitful conversations,” Aquino said when asked about a possible meeting with Xi, during the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines’ annual presidential forum held in Parañaque City.

The APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Manila is from Nov. 18 to 19.

Aquino said there is no scheduled bilateral meeting yet with Xi, and that the brief tete-a-tete with the Chinese leader on the sidelines of the APEC Summit hosted by Beijing last year was not really by accident. He said he is looking forward to having “cooperation” as part of the summit’s core objectives. “That is the goal,” he said.

“Currently, there is no schedule for a bilateral talk, but we are very open to it. But there are others that have already indicated that they want bilateral discussions, including those that will be coming on state visits before the launch of APEC,” Aquino added.

The President said an invitation has been formally transmitted to Xi and that he expressed hope the Chinese leader would come.

“We were very supportive of China when they hosted. We assume that our big brother to the West will also be supportive. We have not yet received confirmation as to who will be attending,” Aquino said.

The President said he would tell Xi what he had conveyed to the latter’s predecessors – that the event would promote stability as well as foster better relations among countries.

“So if there is a central message that would be what I want to convey,” Aquino said.

The President said he has been emphasizing since 2011 when he went to China for a state visit the need for improved relations between the two countries despite the West Philippine Sea dispute.

Aquino said at that time, Chinese companies invested around $600 million in the Philippine economy while local companies put in about P2.5 billion in China.

He added China has been sending 200,000 tourists in the country annually as of 2011 as against 800,000 Filipinos going to China in the same period.

Culturally, the ties between the Philippines and China cannot be ignored.

“The Chinese side has also pointed out the very long relationship. And obviously, it profits both to really be able to manage the issues that have a conflict between our two parties, and go back to a concentration on that which can be beneficial for both sides,” Aquino said.

The White House said President Obama is also set to travel to Turkey and Malaysia from Nov. 14 to 22.

In Turkey, the President will participate in the G-20 Leaders Summit.

In Malaysia, he will participate in the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit.

Obama’s visit to the Philippines and Malaysia underscores America’s support for Asia’s regional institutions.

These visits also will support the President’s efforts to expand opportunities for American businesses and workers.

APEC groups 21 member-economies namely: the Philippines, US, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Canada, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia, and Vietnam.