Recruiting in China

PHILIPPINEP President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was due to depart for a shortened visit to China today to conclude deals amounting to US$2 billion worth of Chinese investment, The Associated Press reported.

The visit, originally set for five days, was cut short to 12 hours after Arroyo's husband underwent open heart surgery April 9. He was expected to be released from a hospital tomorrow, when Arroyo returns to Manila.

Apart from signing and approving several investment agreements, Arroyo was scheduled to take part in the weekend Boao Forum for Asia meeting of top government officials and business leaders, presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.

Microsoft Corp Chairman Bill Gates, Bangladeshi Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus and Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also were expected to attend the forum in southern Hainan province, Bunye said.

He said Arroyo "brings to the forum her expertise and strong grasp of regional and geopolitical matters in her capacity as president and as chair of ASEAN," the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Arroyo has said earlier the investments in the Philippines will be funded by the Chinese government. She did not elaborate. Her visit to China in 2004 yielded US$1.2 billion in combined investment commitments and soft loans.