PNoy to hold 11 bilateral talks during APEC Summit

President Benigno Aquino III is going into least 11 bilateral meetings with his counterparts during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) next week.

Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr., director general of the APEC 2015 National Organizing Council, confirmed the President's schedule in a press briefing Monday.

However, a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping has yet to be scheduled, Paynor noted.

“As of right now, there is no official bilateral meeting but I know there is a meeting on the sides of the summit itself but no formal bilateral meeting yet,” he said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of China has confirmed that Xi will attend the AELM. The two Asian neighbors are locked in a territorial dispute over South China Sea and West Philippine Sea.

The economic leaders’ meeting will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) from November 18 to 19. – VS, GMA News