Despite rising regional tensions over China’s maritime claims, Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Summit which will be hosted by the Philippines next week. The foreign ministry in Beijing announced Monday.
“At the invitation of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, President Xi Jinping will attend the 23rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Manila, from November 17 to 19,” the statement from Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang read.
Presidential Spokesperson Abegail Valte confirmed last week that the attendance of more than 10 economic leaders to the summit, including Japan Prime minister Shinzo Abe, U.S. President Barack Obama, Russia President Vladimir Putin, Indonesia President Joko Widodo, Mexico President Enrique Peña Nieto, Chile President Michelle Bachelet, and recently sworn-in Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Chinese president will first attend the 10th G20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey from November 14 to 16, before going to Manila. - Carl E.
