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Aquino back from 5-day state visit to China


Following a hectic five-day visit to China, President Benigno Aquino III returned home to the Philippines Saturday evening. Aquino, who arrived shortly before 7 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, said his visit has resulted in closer ties with China on several fronts. "Sa unang bisita natin sa Tsina, napagkasunduan natin na bilang dalawang bayan na magkalapit hindi lang sa mapa kundi sa daan-daang taong kasaysayan ng ugnayang Pilipino at Tsino, nararapat lang na maipagpatuloy at lalo pang maipalakas ang pagtulungan ng dalawang bansa," the President said in his arrival statement aired on government-run dzRB radio. China agreed to help make the South China Sea a 'sea of friendship and cooperation' by helping the ASEAN Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Aquino reported that during his visit both sides signed agreements covering trade, economy, technical cooperation, tourism, sports, culture and information. The two countries also agreed to make 2012-2013 the Philippine-China Year of Friendly Exchanges seeking to double two-way tourist arrivals to two million by 2016. The Philippines and China are also are targeting $60 billion in total two-way trade by 2016. Aquino thanked the business delegation who he said spent their own funds to go with him to attract investments from China. "Sa inyong lahat maraming salamat po," Aquino said. — ELR, GMA News

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