China has confirmed that President Xi Jinping will visit the Philippines next week to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit despite the ongoing sea territorial dispute between the two countries. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is in Manila to make sure everything is prepared when Xi arrives.

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Manila Times reported that there have been doubts about Xi's attendance at the APEC summit, which will be held in Manila on November 18, because of the dispute.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III extended the APEC invitation to Xi which the Chinese leader accepted on Monday.

The Chinese foreign ministry posted on its official website a confirmation that Xi will attend the 23^rd APEC summit in Manila, which is scheduled to last from November 17 until 19.

Although President Aquino attended the previous APEC summit in Beijing, he only met Xi for a short period of time during the last days of the APEC Summit.

The visit of China's President and foreign minister to the Philippines may present an opportunity for the two countries to improve diplomatic relations. Ties between the neighbors have been seriously strained due to their conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea, which is now being called the West Philippine Sea by Filipinos.

There will not ne any diplomatic talks regarding the two countries rival claims during Xi's visit to the Philippines. Yi made a request to Manila that there will be no discussion of the ongoing territorial claims during Xi's visit to the Philippines, according to CNS News.

With such a request, there is virtually no chance that the two countries may reach any amicable diplomatic solution at the APEC meeting on this contentious issue.

The Philippines has described China's building of artificial islands in the Spratlys as the actions of a "bully". Meanwhile China has refused to participate in the United Nations tribunal case filed by the Philippines over the South China Sea dispute. The court recently ruled that it has juridiction to hear the matter.

The South China Sea is claimed by several countries although China is insisting that it owns most of the area.

The spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Hong Lei said on Monday that the Chinese government is seeking a better diplomatic relationship with the Philippines. China has advocated for direct talks between South China Sea claimant countries as opposed to third party mediation.

TagsAPEC summit Manila, xi jinping philippine visit, wang yi visit manila, President Benigno Aquino III, 23rd Philippine apec summit, west philippine sea, Spratlys islands dispute, the hague court