President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left last night for a shortened and abbreviated trip to China to attend the annual Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) that would help shape the Philippines’ important role in enhancing bilateral relations, trading, economic and tourism among Asian countries.

The President boarded a chartered Philippine Air Lines (PAL) at exactly 11:40 p.m. after the foyer honors accorded her at the departure lounge of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Centennial Terminal 2 in Pasay City.

Joining the President in the plane were Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, and a small group of the country’s top business executives.

In an ambush interview at the airport, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President's participation in the Boao Economic Forum will provide her the opportunity to draw attention of the global economic leaders and decision-makers and highlight the progress of the positive economic developments in the Philippines.

He said that coming on the wake of the Philippines' successful hosting of the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cebu, the Boao Forum will enable the Philippines to present the emergence of the ASEAN community as a formidable bloc in its long years of existence.

Ermita said the President brings to the Forum her expertise and strong grasp of regional and geo-political matters in her capacity as President and as Chair of the ASEAN.

Following is the President’s departure statement:

During our visit to China, which begins tonight, we look forward to witnessing a number of economic agreements that will create new jobs for Filipinos and support infrastructure development to raise the competitiveness of our country.

These commitments are testament to the progress we have made in enhancing our economic environment and the confidence of the international community in our country and economy.   

As President of the Philippines and Chair of ASEAN, I am also delighted at the opportunity to join some of the world’s business and government leaders at the Boao Forum in Hainan to engage in a meaningful dialogue about Asia’s economic dynamism and our region’s increasingly important role in driving global growth. 

Our participation in this pre-eminent leadership forum will also ensure that the Philippines continues to play an important role in promoting regional peace and security. 

BOAO, China (Via PLDT) -- While expressing her bullishness in Asia’s future, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo challenged movers and shakers of the region Saturday "to use every tool available to lift up the poor," in order to achieve equitable, sustainable growth.

In her keynote speech at the opening plenary session of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) at the main hall of the International Convention Center here, the President called on Asian countries to learn from other nations and create their own sustained path to development.

"We must think outside the box, harness technology and use innovation to break the cycle of energy dependence and environmental degradation," she told dignitaries and business leaders attending the three-day confab in China’s southernmost island of Hainan.

The President was among four keynote speakers that also included Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Wu Bangguo, chairman of the standing committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China.

She was introduced by Long Yongtu, BFA secretary general.

By available tools, the President enumerated education, technology and microfinance as the major drivers of sustainable growth.

She cited the Philippines’ aggressive information technology investment that has brought the internet to every high school and its spending of more pesos for education. She also talked about government efforts to encourage small and micro business enterprises that will eventually build an entrepreneurial class in the Philippines.

Turning to Gates, whose IT savvy and entrepreneurship has made him the world’s wealthiest man, the President said: "The global success of Microsoft under your visionary leadership has reminded us of the power of innovation to change the world for the better."

"We agree with you that technology is a powerful tool to liberate the potential of individuals and nations to grow and prosper," she added, pointing out that the IT sector in the Philippines is the fastest growing sector driving the economy.

Gates, who was seated to the right of the President in the giant stage, nodded in approval.

Turning to the hosts, the President pointed out that China’s remarkable rise reflects the promise and challenge "of the world we live in."

"We see your dramatic growth lifting millions out of poverty and springing your nation squarely onto the world stage as a new global power. And you also need to balance growth with concerns for the environment and the quality of life," she explained.

The President emphasized that as China and India eventually grow into political and economic giants, "their obligations to their neighbors will increase, and separate from their own obligations to their citizens."

"Ascendance onto the world stage carries implications not just for economic development, but for management of our environment on a sustainable basis and for sustaining broader peace and stability in the region and the world," she said.

As chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the President pushed for greater economic integration between Southeast Asia and the robust economies of China, India and Japan.

She welcomed the surge in economic growth of the three countries as a healthy development for the Philippines and the region as a whole.

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.

Wu likewise expressed his wishes for the speedy recovery of the First Gentleman, Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo, who underwent open heart surgery last week, the main reason why the President had cut short her stint in the annual confab.

The President cited the Golden Age of China’s relationship with the Philippines, and praised China as a good dialogue partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

That’s the way things looked like for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her brief stay in this picturesque coastal town Saturday as she "came and went like a thief in the night," bringing with her an avalanche of Chinese investments to the tune of $904.38 million.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo returned this afternoon from her 12-hour trip to China, where she delivered the keynote address before the sixth Boao Forum for Asia (BFA).

Arriving on board the Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight PR 001 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Centennial Terminal 2 in Pasay City, the President emerged from the presidential plane at exactly 4:20 p.m., followed by her official entourage that included some members of her Cabinet.

The Cabinet members who accompanied the President to the Boao Forum were Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, and Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Antonio L. Romero II led the welcomers of the President, who was clad in a dark brown suit, at the NAIA 2 Tarmac.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) band accorded the Chief Executive full military honors. She trooped the line while accompanied by Gen. Romero.

She immediately boarded her presidential car and proceeded to the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio to visit the tomb of her father, former President Diosdado Macapagal, on his 10^th death anniversary today.

Thereafter, she is scheduled to visit her husband, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, who is recuperating at the St. Luke’s Medical Center from a heart surgery last week.