WCEC to boost Sino-Philippine ties: Philippine President

During the opening ceremony, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said she hoped the convention will boost Sino-Philippine ties. The Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, Liu Jianchao, said bilateral trade between the two countries grew 30 percent annually in the past two years. He also believes with the establishment of a China-ASEAN free trade area January 1st, ties will develop further between the two nations.

Liu Jianchao said, "Sino-Philippine economic and trade cooperation has huge potential. The Philippines needs capital and infrastructure construction. There's potential for cooperation on these fields."