Trade ties to top Aquino's China visit agenda

MANILA, the Philippines - Trade ties will top Philippine President Benigno Aquino's first state visit to China, the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines said on Wednesday.

Both sides look forward to discussions on "general and overall relations between the two countries", which have experienced many tests but remained "strong", Liu Jianchao told reporters at a news briefing at the Chinese embassy.

The visit, from Aug 30 to Sept 3, will take place shortly after the first anniversary of the botched rescue of Hong Kong hostages in Manila, and a flare-up in disputes in the South China Sea that has strained bilateral ties this year.