Chinese President to Participate in G20, APEC Summits – Foreign Ministry

In a press briefing, Paynor also said all leaders of the 21 APEC member-economies would be coming, including the head of state of Colombia.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) group next week, the foreign ministry said on Monday, amid tension between China and the Philippines over the disputed South China Sea.

The visit from Wang is the first after several years, Hong said.

Mr Key will meet with other APEC political leaders and address the APEC CEO Summit, which will be attended by 700 CEOs from across the region.

The Philippines has been angered over what it has branded China’s “bullying” and “hypocritical” tactics, including building artificial islands and taking control of a rich fishing shoal in Filipino-claimed waters. China has already dismissed the tribunal’s decision null and void.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea, even waters approaching the coasts of its Asian neighbours. China says it will neither recognise nor participate in the case.

“At present, because of reasons everyone knows about, Sino-Philippine relations are facing difficulties”.

“China pays great attention to relations with the Philippines and is willing to appropriately resolve relevant issues on the basis of dialogue and negotiation”.

But Hong emphasised the onus rested on the Philippines to improve ties.

US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others, earlier confirmed their attendance.

APEC-national organizing council director general Marciano Paynor Jr. said yesterday that while there is no formal bilateral meeting set, the two leaders might have a chance to talk “on the side”.

The silence until Monday from Beijing over whether Xi would attend had fuelled speculation in the Philippines that he meant to snub Aquino because of the row.