BOAO, China (Via
PLDT) -- Whether it was her speech or the way she came here in the middle of the night
just to honor a commitment, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo elicited praise from no less
than three prominent personalities who called on her following the opening plenary session
today of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) at the International Convention Center here.
Wu Banggou, chairman of the standing committee of
the National People’s Congress (NPC) of the People’s Republic of China, called
her speech visionary. Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said it brought a lot of
goodwill for the Filipino people. United Parcel Service (UPS) president for Asia-Pacific
Kenneth Toroc, meanwhile, described it as comprehensive.
Making the most out of her limited stay here, the
President crammed the two courtesy calls and bilateral meeting with Aziz shortly before
lunch and prior to her departure back for Manila later in the afternoon.
A third call, by ZTE chairman Hou Weighui, was
slated at the Haikou Meilan International Airport before the signing of five landmark
agreements that will highlight her short, abbreviated 12-hour stay in this picturesque
island province.
In her meeting with Wu, the two leaders expressed
satisfaction on the broadening relations between China and the Philippines, particularly
in trade and development assistance, agriculture, rail project and South China Sea
cooperation.(full story) released 21 Apr 2007
