Message from Manila

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT BENIGNO AQUINO III starts his first state visit to China today, with the aim of raising the level of bilateral relations by strengthening political, economic and cultural ties with China.

Against the flurry of disputes between the Philippines and China that have flared up in the past months over the South China Sea, such a reconciliatory stance is more than welcome. It signals that Manila is willing to work with Beijing to shore up the overall picture of healthy bilateral ties and the two sides will try to resolve their differences through discussion.

The fact that Aquino is accompanied by a big delegation during his four-day visit, most of them businesspeople, indicates that Manila wants to obtain a share of China's robust economic growth. Indeed, China's economic achievements in recent years present a golden opportunity for economic development in other countries, the Philippines included.