Philippine Senate majority leader Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Tuesday called for strengthening the country's ties with China during the state visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to the Philippines on April 26-28.

President Hu arrived here Tuesday evening for a three-day state visit at the invitation of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Senator Pangilinan, who had authored the resolution that invited President Hu to address the Joint Session of Congress Wednesday, expressed his hope that the 30- year-old diplomatic relations between the two countries remain strong and will promote greater political understanding and mutual trust.

The resolution had also noted that President Hu's state visit symbolizes that the two countries are united in their commitment to promote peace, understanding and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and to undertake initiatives that will strengthen their cooperation in trade, defense and security.

Pangilinan also hopes that Wednesday's meeting with President Hu will rejuvenate support for China's more meaningful engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit serves as a fitting commemoration of Philippine-Chinese 30th year as diplomatic allies and reliable partners in the Asia-Pacific region. I understand that it was on June 30, 1975, that the Philippines and China signed a Joint Communique that formally established diplomatic relations between our countries. The Joint Communique contained a Philippine declaration recognizing the People's Republic of China as the sole government of China. This was the beginning of the Philippines' One-China Policy in our diplomatic relations," Pangilinan said.

"China is certainly an attractive market for Philippine exports and a source of essential imports and foreign direct investments.

Our country should take this opportunity to further our bilateral trade relations with China, especially in the context of our memberships in the WTO and other regional economic arrangements in the Asia-Pacific region,"he said.

"Our governments are set to discuss investments in the mining industry, as well as potential assistance for our rice and corn sectors. Fisheries cooperation and the future of the ASEAN-China Free-Trade Area, will also top the agendas of meetings with the Chinese delegation," said the senate leader.

"Our current energy problem might also be a point of discussion for Philippine-China bilateral talks. Indeed there are many programs and policies that need to be addressed by our countries," he reiterated.

"As President Hu Jintao addresses the Joint Session of Congress,and in the context of an increasingly interdependent global economy, the government can constructively engage China's officials and enhance diplomatic relations through sports, cultural and educational exchanges, liberalized trade, mutually beneficial foreign direct investment and joint economic ventures.

Indeed, we look forward to hearing the thoughts of President Hu Jintao,"Pangilinan added.

Besides attending the Joint Session of Congress, Pangilinan is also scheduled to attend the State Dinner in honor of President Hu Jintao in Malacanan Presidential Palace Wednesday evening.