Beijing says it would welcome a Ramos visit

Ex-president of Philippines now midway through 'ice-breaking' Hong Kong trip

Beijing is looking forward to former Philippine president Fidel Ramos' visiting China as a special envoy and wants him to come as soon as possible, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Wednesday, the third day of the former leader's "ice-breaking trip" to Hong Kong.

"China sticks to an open attitude toward all means of contact between China and the Philippines, and welcomes Mr Ramos to China," Hua said.