MANILA - Philippine President Benigno Aquino III left Manila on Tuesday for Beijing on his first state visit to China, seeking to improve understanding and strengthen relations with its biggest neighbor.  

Aquino left Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport for Beijing at 6 pm on board a special commercial Philippine Airlines flight.

In his departure speech, Aquino said the Philippines values its relations with China, which is one of its most important neighbors in Asia. He said his visit seeks to improve understanding and strengthen foreign relations with China.

Aquino said aside from meeting with China's top officials, he will meet with Chinese businessmen to encourage them to invest in the Philippines.

He said he will also meet with the Filipino community and tell the close to 3,000 Filipinos in China that the Philippines has changed under a better leadership.