Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao left Beijing on Saturday afternoon for the Philippines to attend a series of meetings in Cebu ahead of an official visit signalling the start of diplomatic activities for 2007.

The Premier will attend the 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus Three summit (with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea), the 10th China-ASEAN summit, and an east Asian regional summit.

Wen will also chair the 7th annual meeting of leaders of China, Japan and South Korea.

The Premier's official visit to the Philippines was originally scheduled for December 11 to 14, but postponed by Typhoon Utor, which devastated the country.

The 12th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations opened in Cebu on Saturday morning. The main topics on the agenda include terrorism, trade, nuclear issues on the Korean peninsula and a joint charter.

Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam make up ASEAN. 
 
(CRI.cn January 13, 2007)