Jan. 3—Over the next two days, the Presidents of China and the Philippines will be meeting in Beijing to discuss various proposals on the table for cooperation on such areas of common interest and benefit as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and trade. Before leaving for China, Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. spoke of his hope that the improvement of their relations can bring “numerous prospects and abundant opportunities for peace and development to the peoples of both our countries.” Chinese official statements have been equally optimistic.