APEC organisers believe Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Philippine counterpart Benigno Aquino III will surely meet during the summit. A specific seating arrangement will allow the Asian leaders to meet for sure.

Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr said at a press conference on Thursday that Xi and Aquino would “definitely” meet, thanks to “a normal practice among APEC economies.”

According to the practice for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summits, the leader of the host country sits in the middle while the leaders of the previous and the future hosts sit with beside him. China, the previous host, and Peru, the future host, will sit with Aquino at the summit.

“Normally they are seated together, so the opportunity for (Aquino) and President Xi Jinping will always be there, if they wish to talk about issues that are bilateral in nature,” Paynor said.

Newly appointed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will also attend the summit. While he has a hectic domestic schedule, he has confirmed his presence for the summit, one of four major international summits in November-December.

Former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson said the Canadian PM must be aware that he needed to focus on long term goals in global affairs.

“My advice to the prime minister at these big four events that are coming up would be to look, to listen and to learn,” he told CTV’s Question Period.

Meanwhile, APEC organisers hope Russian President Vladimir Putin stays close to the venue while attending the summit. It will be stressful for both the public and security forces if he stays far.

APEC task force commander and Philippine National Police chief Director General Ricardo Marquez said Putin would stay in a hotel along Edsa-Shaw Boulevard, Inquirer reported. Marquez added the ceremonial routes had been extended to Mandaluyong City.

U.S. President Barack Obama, Chile President Michelle Bachelet, Mexico President Enrique Peña Nieto and Indonesia President Joko Widodo have confirmed to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on Nov.18-19 in Manila.

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