APEC summit 'to avoid thorny issues'

Philippine President Benigno Aquino assured visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday that the upcoming APEC economic leaders meeting in Manila will not involve disputed issues.

Aquino made the comment just days ahead of President Xi Jinping's attendance at the 23rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in the Philippine capital from November 17 to 19.

Before confirmation of Xi's attendance by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday, observers had speculated whether the president would travel to Manila because of territorial issues with the Philippines over the South China Sea.